.jpg?w=1)
Lot Essay
Eagles have been a symbol of royal power since pre-history, a feature that applied in Morocco as well as in other countries. The founder of the present dynasty, Moulay Ismail, was said to wear a royal eagle on a chain at his side as his emblem. The Tazi family records indicate that the present eagle was made in 1694, which is during the reign of Moulay Ismail. An even earlier example, executed in filigree and dated AH 1012/1603-4 AD is in the Musie national des arts d'Afrique et d'Ocianie in Paris (L'Islam dans les collections nationals, Paris 1977, p.173, no. 371). Both share the same very powerful aggressive appearance and large size. Later examples are often smaller in scale.
One unusual feature found here is the inclusion of secondary eagles in the upper parts of the wings. This is also to be found in a similar eagle pendant in the royal Collection in Morocco, attributed to Tetouan in the 18th century. This comparable example has many features that are similar to the present pendant; the body is formed of an inverted drop-shaped panel, the lower wings formed of engraved feathers, the tail curves in the same way with stones placed in the same positions, and the head is surmounted by a similar crown.
Three other eagle pendants are published, all of which have two splayed heads and considerably more stylised form. One is in a private collection (Maroc, les trésors du royaume, exhibition catalogue, Paris, 1999, p. 184). Another, formerly in the Benyaminoff collection and exhibited in the Israel Museum, was sold at Sotheby's on 16 October 1997, lot 34, while a third was also at Sotheby's on 13 April 2000, lot 138.
One unusual feature found here is the inclusion of secondary eagles in the upper parts of the wings. This is also to be found in a similar eagle pendant in the royal Collection in Morocco, attributed to Tetouan in the 18th century. This comparable example has many features that are similar to the present pendant; the body is formed of an inverted drop-shaped panel, the lower wings formed of engraved feathers, the tail curves in the same way with stones placed in the same positions, and the head is surmounted by a similar crown.
Three other eagle pendants are published, all of which have two splayed heads and considerably more stylised form. One is in a private collection (Maroc, les trésors du royaume, exhibition catalogue, Paris, 1999, p. 184). Another, formerly in the Benyaminoff collection and exhibited in the Israel Museum, was sold at Sotheby's on 16 October 1997, lot 34, while a third was also at Sotheby's on 13 April 2000, lot 138.