Western Asiatic Qu'ran Painted Miniature Leaf

Modelled standing facing, with stub legs, ears pinned backwards, stylised detailing to the eyes and muzzle; the rider shown mounted sideways indicating a female rider, holding the horse's cropped mane with the left hand, the right hand extended outwards, pinched face with applied circular eyes, detailing to conical headpiece; mounted on a custom-made display base. 317 grams total, 15 cm high including stand



Collection of a deceased London gentleman, 1979-1999, by descent. From the private collection of John Meredith, acquired since the 1990s; thence by descent. Accompanied by a copy of a thermoluminescence analysis report no.N122k29 from Oxford Authentication.

Discoid footed dish with raised rim, central tondo with parcel-gilt ring and 'tamga' motif. 466 grams, 22 cm



Private collection, UK. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13029-247330.

During the Sasanian Empire, the North Iranian ‘tamgas’ became ‘Neshan’ or seals and heraldic symbols of nobility and military personnel, worn on their dress, horses, standards and personal belongings like this vessel. This characteristic also continued during the early Muslim domination. Among the Neshan published by Christensen, one particular ‘tamga’, related to an unknown Sasanian clan, recalls exactly half of the one impressed on the present example (Farrokh, 2005, p.23 no.5).

Teardrop-shaped with integral loop, obverse with lobed plant motif, reverse with seven lines of Arabic script. 12.7 grams, 51 mm



Ex Abelita family collection, 1980s-2000s.