PROBABLY SOGDIAN, CENTRAL ASIA, CIRCA 8TH CENTURY

细节

AN EARLY ISLAMIC SILVER DISH
PROBABLY SOGDIAN, CENTRAL ASIA, CIRCA 8TH CENTURY
Of shallow rounded form with thickened rim on short foot, the centre with a small roundel containing an engraved winged horse, a character engraved on its haunch, traces of gilding remaining in the engraved lines, otherwise plain, areas of corrosion
8 5/8in. (22cm.) diam.

注意事项

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拍品专文

The winged horse appears in two important works of Arabic literature, the Suwar al-kawakib al-thabita of Abu-l Husayn 'Abd al-Rahman al-Sufi composed in the 10th century and in the Aja'ib al-Makhluqat of Zakariyya ibn Muhammad al-Qazwini composed in the 13th century. In both instances the winged horse represents the constellation Al-Faras.(Chevaux et cavaliers arabes, exhibition catalogue, Paris, 2002, nos. 177-8, pp.214-5). The symbol on the rump of the horse represented in this silver dish is probably astrological.