Enrica Medugno
Sale Coordinator
Lot 16R
A rare Seljuk turquoise and pearl-set belt Persia, 12th-13th Century
14 November 2023, 11:00 GMT
London, New Bond Street£30,000 - £40,000
Looking for a similar item?
Our Islamic and Indian Art specialists can help you find a similar item at an auction or via a private sale.
Find your local specialistAsk about this lot
Matthew Thomas
Senior Specialist
A rare Seljuk turquoise and pearl-set belt
Persia, 12th-13th Century
Persia, 12th-13th Century
comprising fifteen gold elements each connected by chains with possibly later clasps at each end, the elements alternately of square form with waisted centres and tapering to settings with turquoises, and in the form of two circles with waisted centres tapering to two settings with pearls, the elements variously decorated in repousse and pierced with vegetal and floral motifs, with fitted box
68 cm. long; 127 g.
68 cm. long; 127 g.
Footnotes
For another gem-set Seljuk belt inset with carnelian and other gems in addition to turquoise and pearl, see Christie's, Art of the Islamic and Indian Worlds, 6 October 2011, lot 75.
The present lot shares many similarities with necklaces and bracelets from the Seljuk period, suggesting an ornamental function as well as a cohesive appearance when paired with a set of jewellery. Gem insets were much more common in the jewellery of Seljuk Persia in comparison to Fatimid jewellery. The present lot contains spherical beads with gems set in low cylindrical collets, as well as tapering pyramidal beads with gems set with claws, with surface designs in flattened metal rope, all characteristic to Seljuk jewellery (Michael Spink and Jack Ogden, "Jewellery from pre-Mongol western and Central Asia," in The Art of Adornment: Jewellery of the Islamic Lands, Part 1, London: The Nour Foundation, p. 180).
For a silver bazuband comprising extremely similar elements but set with turquoise and coral see Sotheby's, Arts of the Islamic World, 13 April 2000, lot 87.
Important Notice to Buyers
Some countries, e.g., the US, prohibit or restrict the purchase by its citizens (wherever located) and/or the import of certain types of works of particular origins. As a convenience to buyers, Bonhams has marked with the symbol R all lots of Iranian (Persian) and Syrian origin. It is each buyer's responsibility to ensure that they do not bid on or import a lot in contravention of the sanctions or trade embargoes that apply to them.