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187
A highly important Il Khanid silver and gold inlaid brass
pencase, late 13th cent. AD.
The Ilkhanate of Northwest Iran, late 13th century AD.
Brass pencase of rectangular form with rounded ends
richly decorated with gold and silver inlays with a drawing
of medallions showing affronted and avert flying
birds - in some the birds are surrounded by four-legged
animals and in some by heads of mythical creatures. On
the lid two medallions are seen depicting a mounted
falconer and another with a mounted archer. All medallions
framed with borders of vegetal motifs, pair of
birds, and trellis pattern. Two silver hinges, Brass base
added later. Length 15.3 cm. Minor scattered corrosion,
but in general of exceptional condition, of superior
workmanship and of the highest importance.
Comparable pieces can be seen in the Museum of Islamic
Art, Doha (ex. Sotheby's, London, April 30th 2003,
lot. 68) and in the David Collection, Copenhagen (Kjeld
Von Folsach: Islamic Art, 1990, p. 204f.).
Islamic decorative art reaches a pinnacle under the Mongolian
Dynasty called the Il Khanids, who ruled over present days Iran
and Iraq from 1256 till 1353.
Silver and gold inlaid luxury goods in bronze and brass belonged
to the most highly esteemed prestigious objects, but only
very rarely have these beautiful, but delicate and frail inlays
been preserved to our times.
The present richly decorated case, which served as a container
for writing tools, must certainly have belonged to a highranking
member of the Il Khanid court.
Whereas figurative representations of humans and animals are
normally considered to be in conflict with Islamic teaching, this
has mostly held true within the specifically religious sphere.
Secular art, however, has sometimes been adorned with very
beautiful figurative motives. In the present case scenes of courtly
hunting are depicted in combination with series of symbolic and
highly poetic representations of flying birds, which probably also
allude to esoteric conceptions.
1 DKK 2.250.000-3.000.000 / € 302.000-402.000
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BRUUN RASMUSSEN TRÉSOR
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