Luristan Bronze Mount with Facing Animal Heads

Rebound hardback with full leather binding, central arabesque foliage panel to both covers, fore-edge flap and envelope flap; title page with liquid gold panel inside a frame with cross and colon detailing (:+:); text pages with concentric red, black and liquid gold frame and typically 17 lines of black text with red titles and highlighting, marginal notation; liquid gold header blocks, occasional dense marginal notation; notation to underside of text-block; spine repaired. 587 grams, 11.5 x 16.7 cm



From an important family collection started in the late 1950s. Property of a West London, UK, gentleman. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12275-220403.

The text is 'Kitab matalle ammasaraat snarh dalayii alkhayrat' (The Book of Ascension of Delights, Explanation of the Evidences of Goodness) compiled by the Sheikh, writer and historian Muhammad al-Mahdi ibn Ahmad Al-Fasi who died in 1109 A.H. (1697 A.D.) written out by the poet Muhammad ibn Ibrahim ibn Saleh ibn Omar Pasha al-Dimashqi in 1162 A.H. (1748 A.D.).

Graduated group of mainly annular and oblate beads in various materials, centrepiece a tabular stone with concentric circle motif to each face. 24.9 grams, 43.5 cm



Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.

Distaff with spiral slot to the thicker end, separate domed whorl and tapering shank. 60 grams, 32 cm



Collected from 1969-1999. From the collection of the late Mr S.M., London, UK.

Spindle whorls are one of the most durable traces of textile craft in the archaeological record. They can be found in copious quantities and diverse types. Whorls in the shape of discs, cylinders and cones of clay, bone, stone and other more precious materials are widespread in all areas and periods, evidencing the skills of craftswomen engaged in textile production.