A SELJUK TERRACOTTA PURSE MOULD

EAST PERSIA, 12TH CENTURY

Details
A SELJUK TERRACOTTA PURSE MOULD
EAST PERSIA, 12TH CENTURY
The flat circular terracotta panel carved with the purse panel of typical form with flat top and rounded lower section, the interior filled with spiralling arabesques and knotted motifs around a central cusped medallion containing similar motifs around two addorsed lions and an upper human torso
6in. (15cm.) diam.

Lot Essay

This appears itself to be the impression of another original since to one side there is a 'shadow'. That would indicate the presence of an original 'master-mould' probably of metal, from which terracotta moulds like this were made. This is in contrast to the similar stone moulds also for the manufacture of leather purses which contain almost identical designs, but which must themselves have been carved in reverse.

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