SICULO-ARABIC, 12TH CENTURY

Details

A SILVER-MOUNTED CYLINDRICAL IVORY PYXIDE
SICULO-ARABIC, 12TH CENTURY
The hinged lid with a circular loop handle, the interior with an old paper label inscribed 'ON LOAN FROM. J. H. Fitzhenry June 1902' and a second paper label stamped 'M', the underside with a plastic label inscribed '273'; minor cracks and damages
2¾ in. (7 cm.) high; 3 1/8 in. (7.9 cm.) diam.

Provenance

J. H. Fitzhenry, in 1902.
Christie's London, 15 October 2002, lot 76.

Literature

COMPARATIVE LITERATURE:
Paris, Grand-Palais, L'Islam dans les collections nationales, 2 mai -22 aout 1977, J.-P. Roux, P. Amiet, E. Anglade, F. Baratte et al eds., no. 420, p. 191.
Riyadh, King Faisal Centre for Research and Islamic Studies, The Unity of Islamic Art, 0. Hoare ed., 1985.

Special Notice

Prospective purchasers are advised that several countries prohibit the importation of property containing materials from endangered species, including but not limited to coral, ivory and tortoiseshell. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should familiarize themselves with relevant customs regulations prior to bidding if they intend to import this lot into another country.

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Donald Johnston

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Lot Essay

The form of this small pyxide is very similar to that of other Siculo-Arabic small caskets attributed to Islamic ivory carvers working in Sicily during the 12th century (for a related example see Riyadh, op. cit., pp. 196-7, no. 173). Many such caskets have painted details which illustrate their clear Islamic origins, such as one example in the Louvre painted with a kufic inscription around the cover (Paris, loc. cit.). The present example is unusual in that its mounts are of silver rather than the gilt-copper normally encountered.

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