Medieval Middle East, Turkey / Persia, Seljuk Empire (sometimes Seljuq), ca. 10th to 12th centuries CE. A repousse bronze rectangular tray depicting four felines, with nashki (also nashk or nesih) inscriptions around the rim. The panthers are around a central, raised boss that depicts an abstract diamond and triangle pattern. The felines are repeated motifs, each one shown seated, with a long tail and head turned backward. They appear to be lionesses or panthers. This fine tray may have been made to hold offerings, but it was most likely secular, used to serve food. The significance of the felines would have been their hunting prowess and fierceness. Size: 1" L x 12.5" W x 7.6" H (2.5 cm x 31.8 cm x 19.3 cm)

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: acquired from M. Aaron, London, United Kingdom, December 1988

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#123449

Bronze has been restored, with small tear on one edge, and small hole one opposite side; slight bending to form.