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Description

A HIGHLY IMPORTANT PAIR OF BRONZE BALANCE SCALES FROM KHORASAN, 11-12TH CENTURY AD

A highly important pair of balance scales from Khorasan in bronze with silver inlays. The ensemble consists of : two circular weighing pans with shallow edges, two domed bosses with suspension loops and three piercings for the chains, the balance bar which is hinged for storage with a central bracket to connect to the supporting strut for attaching the balance on a support. The surfaces are decorated in vegetal scrolls, inscriptions, animals and geometric motifs. The repeated inscriptions in elegant angular Kufic script of ' al-'izz wa'l-dwaam wa'l-salama wa'l-sa'ada, "Glory and prosperity and well-being and happiness. The inscriptions show the close relationship between the importance of just measurement in the Islamic work, especially for such an important item which was likely to have been used in public by high officials. The repeated motifs on this set of scales show avian representations on the balance , crested swans and two eagles which are babct-to-back on the central bracket. The support has two standing song birds. The inlaid animals are seemingly from a hunt scene and as the balance is decorated on both sides it does suggest that the object was to be viewed from all angles in a public display. This unique object merits further study and is perhaps the most important existing specimen of the type. Dimensions : Pans 37 x 2 cm. : bosses. 12.4 x 6.4 cm. Balance bar : 69.3 x 23 cm. : support bracket : 26.2 x 6 cm. material. : Bronze with silver inlays. Khorasan 11th-12th century

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A HIGHLY IMPORTANT PAIR OF BRONZE BALANCE SCALES FROM KHORASAN, 11-12TH CENTURY AD

Estimate 20 000 - 30 000 EUR
Starting price 20 000 EUR

* Not including buyer’s premium.
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Sale fees: 33 %
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For sale on Wednesday 03 Jul : 11:00 (CEST)
hattemerbroek, Netherlands
Oriental Art Auctions
+31383380783
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