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Lot 31

A Samanid group of repousse gold Belt Fittings
Eastern Persia, 9th/ 10th Century
(31)

21 April 2015, 10:30 BST
London, New Bond Street

£30,000 - £50,000

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A Samanid group of repousse gold Belt Fittings
Eastern Persia, 9th/ 10th Century

Of repousse decorated gold sheet, comprised of ten hollow oblong elements and twelve shorter hollow oblong elements, each with trefoil palmette set within a beaded arch to either side, eight small circular elements and a further rectangular plaque
larger elements approx 6cm. long; total weight 219g(31)

Footnotes

Belts are of great importance in Islamic culture because of their ceremonial significance which explains why they are so finely worked. The belt, mintaqah or kamar was used as a symbol of authority by ruling dynasties as early as the Abbasid Caliphate. Belts were also a sign of rank and the practice of girding was a major rite of passage in Islamic societies. For examples of belt fittings in the Khalili Collection, see D. Alexander, Arts of War, Oxford, 1992, nos. 2-13, 15-16.

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