Islamic Amuletic Silver Pendant

Graduated group of tubular, annular, biconvex and other beads with fusiform bead centrepiece. 26 grams, 33.5 cm



Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.

With a keeled hoop and openwork shield-shaped shoulder with scroll ornament, a diamond-shaped shield with a cross to the base of the hoop; large bezel with an applied stylised bird underneath, the sides with pellet ornament in three rows, four claws holding the 4th-5th century Sassanian intaglio depicting a boar devouring the leg of its prey. 8.63 grams, 25.72 mm overall, 18.95 mm internal diameter (approximate size British P 1/2, USA 7 3/4, Europe 16.86, Japan 16)



Private collection, USA, acquired in the 1990s. Accompanied by a copy of a previous cataloguing information page.

It was a fairly common practice to re-use Sassanian intaglios in Islamic rings from Iran. In Eastern cultures the boar was a sacred animal with magical powers.

With frieze in two registers: above, mainly running felines; below, addorsed pairs of gryphons sitting and bovines resting, solar disc above; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 5.25 grams, 18 mm



Ex London, UK, collection, by family descent before 1988. Accompanied by a previous catalogue information slip.