This one of a quite large number of limestone panels carved in intaglio with decorative compositions. These have been identified as leather press moulds. The five compositions on this piece are for the back and front flaps of leather purses. There is a rare surviving purse of this type in the al-Sabah Collection, Kuwait while another is in the David Collection, Copenhagen. The decoration of real and fantastic animals on a arabesque ground and borders inscribed in naskh script with benedictory phrases is typical of leather press moulds. Two examples have been published (Islamic Art, European and Oriental Rugs, Bonham's, 27th April 1994, lot 100). A further example in the Khalili Collection can be dated to 1206-1211 AD, having been made in Khorassan, probably Herat, giving an approximate dating and origin for the group.