Bronze Celestial Globe - FF.129, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 1884 AD, Dimensions: 6" (15.2cm) high, Collection: Islamic Art, Medium: Bronze. From early antiquity, many  More »

Bronze Celestial Globe - FF.129, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 1884 AD, Dimensions: 6" (15.2cm) high, Collection: Islamic Art, Medium: Bronze. From early antiquity, many great civilizations, such as the Greek, Islamic, and Chinese, have attempted to model the earth’s movements along with its visible stars and other celestial bodies. These models were usually done in the form of celestial globes, astrolabes and armillary spheres. They were all based on an imaginary model where the earth is in the centre, and an outer sphere of stars and celestial bodies move around the earth. These models were built using the vast knowledge of astronomy and planetary movement passed down from antiquity. The models provided a very good way of representing the very complicated movement of the bodies.   « Less

Seljuk Bronze Seal - AM.0353, Origin: Central Asian, Circa: 1100 AD to 1300 AD, Dimensions: 2.3 " (5.8cm) high x 1.75 " (4.4cm) wide, Collection: Islamic, Style: Seljuk  More »

Seljuk Bronze Seal - AM.0353, Origin: Central Asian, Circa: 1100 AD to 1300 AD, Dimensions: 2.3 " (5.8cm) high x 1.75 " (4.4cm) 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.   « Less

Seljuk Oil Lamp in the Form of a Feline - AM.0354, Origin: Central Asian, Circa: 1100 AD to 1300 AD, Dimensions: 4.25 " (10.8cm) high x 5.5" (14.0cm) wide, Collection:  More »

Seljuk Oil Lamp in the Form of a Feline - AM.0354, Origin: Central Asian, Circa: 1100 AD to 1300 AD, Dimensions: 4.25 " (10.8cm) high x 5.5" (14.0cm) wide, Collection: Islamic, Style: Seljuk Dynasty, Medium: Bronze. The Seljuks were a Turkic dynasty of Central Asian nomadic origins. Having defeated the Ghaznavids in the eleventh century they took over Baghdad in 1055 A.D. At one point the empire stretched across Iran, Iraq and much of Anatolia. By the end of the eleventh century however dynastic disputes led to the division of these lands. The main branch- the so-called Great Seljuks- maintained control over Iran. This was a golden age for Islamic art typified by innovation and experimentation. In metalwork one of the most important developments was the practice of inlaying bronze or brass objects with precious metals such as copper, silver or gold. Bronze casting flourished and famous workshops were established in Khorasan and the surrounding area.   « Less

Qajar Shield - AM.0369, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 18 th Century AD, Dimensions: 4.25" (10.8cm) high x 23.5" (59.7cm) wide, Collection: Islamic, Style: Qajar, Medium:  More »

Qajar Shield - AM.0369, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 18 th Century AD, Dimensions: 4.25" (10.8cm) high x 23.5" (59.7cm) wide, Collection: Islamic, Style: Qajar, Medium: Steel. From their roots as a Turkmen tribe of shepherd- warriors centered in Azerbaijan, the Qajar Dynasty would become a fully assimilated Perso- Islamic monarchy that reunified Persia and, through their modernization programs, laid the foundation for the modern nation-state now known as Iran. Following the demise of the Safavid Dynasty, various regional centers of powers emerged, including the Zand Dynasty that controlled the south. In 1779, after the death of the Zand leader, Agha Mohammed Khan, the founder of the Qajar Dynasty, set out to reunify Persia under the Qajar banner. By 1794, Agha Mohammed Khan had defeated his internal rivals and reestablished Persian sovereignty over territories in Georgia and the Caucasus previously lost to foreign powers. These territorial gains would not last long, however, as the Qajaris soon found themselves in direct conflict with the imperial aspirations of Russia and Britain. Fath Ali Shah, who rose to the throne following the assassination of Agha Mohammed in 1797, presided over a period of disastrous conflicts with Russia, which resulted in an acknowledgement of Russian sovereignty over Georgia and later the entire South Caucasus region north of the Aras River.   « Less

Qajar Shield - AM.0370, Origin: Central Asia,Circa: 18 th Century AD,Dimensions: 4.25" (10.8cm) high x 20.5" (52.1cm) wide,Collection: Islamic,Style: Qajar.

Qajar Shield - AM.0370, Origin: Central Asia,Circa: 18 th Century AD,Dimensions: 4.25" (10.8cm) high x 20.5" (52.1cm) wide,Collection: Islamic,Style: Qajar.   « Less

Seljuk Bronze Oil Lamp - SK.051, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 1100 AD to 1300 AD, Dimensions: 8" (20.3cm) high x 9" (22.9cm) wide x 4.25 " (10.8cm) depth, Collection:  More »

Seljuk Bronze Oil Lamp - SK.051, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 1100 AD to 1300 AD, Dimensions: 8" (20.3cm) high x 9" (22.9cm) wide x 4.25 " (10.8cm) depth, 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.   « Less

Seljuk Engraved Bronze Bowl with Lid - SK.052, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 1100 AD to 1300 AD, Dimensions: 7.75 " (19.7cm) high x 6.75 " (17.1cm) wide, Collection: Islamic,  More »

Seljuk Engraved Bronze Bowl with Lid - SK.052, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 1100 AD to 1300 AD, Dimensions: 7.75 " (19.7cm) high x 6.75 " (17.1cm) wide, Collection: Islamic, Style: Seljuk, 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.   « Less

Seljuk Bronze Rose Water Sprinkler - SK.053, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 1100 AD to 1300 AD, Dimensions: 6.5 " (16.5cm) high x 4.1 " (10.4cm) wide, Collection: Islamic,  More »

Seljuk Bronze Rose Water Sprinkler - SK.053, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 1100 AD to 1300 AD, Dimensions: 6.5 " (16.5cm) high x 4.1 " (10.4cm) wide, Collection: Islamic, Style: Seljuk., Medium: Bronze. Metalwork has always enjoyed a great prestige in the Islamic world. The beautifully shaped metal wares used at meals and banquets were regarded as a status symbol. As in ancient time, bronze household goods were prized for their durability and their natural beauty.   « Less

Seljuk Bronze Message Holder - SK.054, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 1100 AD to 1300 AD, Dimensions: 10.5 " (26.7cm) high x 2.25 " (5.7cm) wide, Collection: Islamic, Style:  More »

Seljuk Bronze Message Holder - SK.054, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 1100 AD to 1300 AD, Dimensions: 10.5 " (26.7cm) high x 2.25 " (5.7cm) wide, Collection: Islamic, Style: Seljuk Dynasty, Medium: Bronze. During the Seljuk period metalwork was particularly widespread with extremely high levels of workmanship. Bronze was by far the most widely used metal during the 11th and 12th centuries.   « Less

Seljuk Bronze Vase - LK.150, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 1100 AD to 1200 AD, Dimensions: 9" (22.9cm) high x 6.25" (15.9cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Seljuk,  More »

Seljuk Bronze Vase - LK.150, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 1100 AD to 1200 AD, Dimensions: 9" (22.9cm) high x 6.25" (15.9cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Seljuk, 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.   « Less