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Lot Essay
The kufic inscription reads: 'izz da'im w'al-iqbal li-sahibihi (perpetual glory and prosperity to the owner)
The decorative repertoire around most of this bracelet links it to pieces from East Persia and Afghanistan. The style of kufic inscription and in particular the scrollwork used as the background all point to this origin (see for example fittings from the Nihavand horde published in Hasson, Rachel: Early Islamic Jewellery, Jerusalem, 1987, no.66, pp.54-55). The figural roundel is however most unusual. Its depiction, particularly in the Western appearance of the full frontal pose, pronounced cheeks, headband, and hair curling up at the lower ends, is similar to some of the figures on Syrian coins such as copper dirhams of Husam al-Din Yavlak Arslan of the late 12th century.
The decorative repertoire around most of this bracelet links it to pieces from East Persia and Afghanistan. The style of kufic inscription and in particular the scrollwork used as the background all point to this origin (see for example fittings from the Nihavand horde published in Hasson, Rachel: Early Islamic Jewellery, Jerusalem, 1987, no.66, pp.54-55). The figural roundel is however most unusual. Its depiction, particularly in the Western appearance of the full frontal pose, pronounced cheeks, headband, and hair curling up at the lower ends, is similar to some of the figures on Syrian coins such as copper dirhams of Husam al-Din Yavlak Arslan of the late 12th century.