Details

LOT 1342

Seljuk Standing Stone Lion

12TH-13TH CENTURY A.D.

2 1/4 in. (57.5 grams, 57 mm).

Modelled in the round, front and back paws formed as a one block, pierced lug to the back.

Provenance

with a London, UK gallery, 1971-early 2000s.

Literature

Cf. Öney, G., ‘Anadolu Selçuklu Mimarisinde Aslan Figürü, (Lion’s figure in Anatolian Selcuk Architecture)’ in Anadolu, XIII, 1971, pp.1-64, fig.1, for a similar lion in stone at the castle of Kayseri, dated 1224 A.D.

Footnotes

The lion was one of the most widely used symbols in Seljuk culture. They frequently used the word aslan, meaning lion, in the names of their Sultans and statesmen, such as Alparslan, "brave lion," Aslanshah, "lion king," and Aslandogmus, "lion born." Four of the Seljuk Sultans were named Kilicarslan, which combines the words for a sword and lion, and the interest in lions is clearly reflected in the art and architecture of the Seljuk period. Lion-head water spouts are to be found at a number of caravanserais, and lion statues guarded the portals to the city of Cardak Han in Anatolia, as well as carved onto the walls of the palace at Incir Han. The lion is also to be found on the coins of Sultan Giyaseddin II.