12th C. Islamic Ghasnavid Brass Incense Burner - Feline

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Ancient | Asian | Ethnographic

By Artemis Gallery

Jan 16, 2020

Set Reminder 2020-01-16 10:00:00 2020-01-16 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Ancient | Asian | Ethnographic https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/ancient-asian-ethnographic-4799
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• Lot Description
  Central Asia, Ghaznavid Empire which covered present day Northwest India, Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan, ca. 12th CE. A fabulous openwork brass incense burner in the form of a wild feline creature (perhaps a lioness or a lynx), with the neck/head cast separately from the lower body and hinged to the front of the chest so that it opens and closes, and the head may be lifted to place incense within the body. The creature presents a rounded head with perky ears, openwork eyes and mouth, and magnificent bas relief whiskers; a generally cylindrical body with a curled up tail, straight legs, and hooves instead of paws. The reason for this imaginative combination of elements is that under Islamic religious law, actual anthropomorphic and zoomorphic representations were forbidden. Given this, the "principle of improbability" was enacted in order to create renderings of fictitious animals that did not actually exist in reality, so that no one could argue that they represented animals found in nature. Size: 8" L x 10.3" H (20.3 cm x 26.2 cm)
  
  The entire body of the animal is hollow with extensive openwork to provide beautiful abstract patterns of floral and stellar scrollwork. The large scale of this piece meant that it could hold quite a bit of incense, which was an especially valuable trade item. Given this, as well as its outstanding artistry, this incense burner was most likely created for someone of elite social status.
  
  The Ghaznavid Empire was the first significant Muslim power of Central Asia, and it was responsible for spreading Islam into India. As a result, Islam became India's second-largest religion. Such impressive stylized felines were also produced in the workshops of Khurassan during the Seljuk dynasty in the eastern regions of ancient Persia - the Seljuks took over the Ghaznavid Persian domains by 1040 CE. Although wild felines were popular motifs in Islamic art, lions were rare in these territories, and because of this, were regarded as legendary creatures. Lions also symbolized kingship or nobility, connoting courage, strength, and royal might. Finally, the lion was long associated with the zodiac and astrology.
  
  A very similar cast bronze incense burner in the form of a lion created in 14th/15th century India but obviously inspired by Khorassan incense burners of the same form sold for GBP 29,300 at Christie's London (23 October 2007, Lot 93).
  
  Similar examples may also be found in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Hermitage Museum, the Musee du Louvre, and the Khalili Collection. This is a truly outstanding piece of ancient Islamic art.
  
  Provenance: ex private Yunesi collection, acquired in Iran in 1966
  
  All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
  
  A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
  
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  #149141

  Condition

  Expected surface wear commensurate with age. The bronze has developed a gorgeous patina of vibrant green (verdigris) and dark brown. The golden areas indicate areas of scuffed patina that actually imbue the piece with more beauty.
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