Two Islamic seljuq rectangular trays
A repousse bronze rectangular tray depicting four felines, with naskh inscriptions around the rim. One decorated with four panthers or lionesses, the second with three roundels of flowers in low relief.
Both with panels enclosing rabbits in low relief.

During this time period, there was a huge market in bronze secular items, part of a luxury trade in the marketplaces of the Levant. They were made to appeal to consumer taste, including Christians, Muslims, and people with little interest in religious art. As a result, scenes of court life, battle, and hunting - as this piece is probably a reference to - were popular. If this example is similar to others from this place and time, then it may once have had gold and silver inlays.

Provenance: part of a private Belgian collection.

Origin: Persia

Period: 11th-13th century

Sizes: 30.00 cm. W x 19.00 cm. D
11.81 in. W x 7.48 in. D