Seljuk Bronze Sculpture of a Lion - AM.0408, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 1200 AD to 1300 AD, Dimensions: 3" (7.6cm) high x 4" (10.2cm) wide, Collection: Islamic, Style: Seljuk Dynasty, Medium: Bronze. In the 9th century, hordes of nomadic Turkic horseman living on the outskirts of the Muslim world began to migrate westward into the heart of Central Asia. By the 10 century, a branch known as the House of Seljuk had broken off from the Oghuz confederation of Turkomen tribesmen, arrived into mainland Persia, and settled in the province of Khurasan. Overtime, the Seljuks converted to Islam and began to adopt the Persian language and culture. In the 11th century, the Seljuks set up an independent state under their leader Tugrul Bey with its capital in Isfahan, initially under the auspices of the Abbasid Caliph in Baghdad. The arts thrived during the Seljuk period as the Turkic rulers patronized Persian culture, arts, and literature.

Antiquities
Ancient Near East