A Rare Fatimid Moulded green glass plaque, North Africa, 10th century

of rectangular form, moulded in reserve on one side with a griffin between scrolling vines, with a small inscription on body, the reverse with a medallion featuring a central flowerhead encircled by an inscription

In overall fair condition, cracked with subsequent restoration, some encrustation to reverse and clusters of seed bubbles, as viewed.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

inscriptions

On the griffin:

Al-Imam al-Qa'im bi'llah

There are two caliphs with that title: the Fatimid, Abu'l-Qasim al-Qa'im (322-34 AH/934-46 AD) and the Abbasid, Abu'l-Ja'far al-Qa'im (422-67 AH/1031-75 AD). In the case of this particular glass plaque, the most likely attribution is to that of the Fatimid Caliph, Abu'l-Qasim al-Qa'im.

The medallion moulded into this green glass plaque can be compared with other medallions discussed in Stefano Carboni and David Whitehouse, Glass of the Sultans, Exhibition Catalogue, New York, Corning, Athens, New Haven and London, 2002, pp.133-135, nos.50-52. These medallions were found during excavations of a twelfth/ thirteenth century Ghaznavid palace at Old Termez (Tirmidh), Uzbekistan, and it is believed that they were used as window decorations (Carboni and Whitehouse 2002, p.135).

The current plaque is reported to have come from Tunisia, which coincides with the attribution of the signature to the Fatimid Caliph, Abu'l-Qasim al-Qa'im. Even though it shares stylistic features with the later glass medallions made for Ghurid and Ghaznavid rulers, the fact that on this plaque, one side was moulded with a griffin (signed with the Caliph's name) and the other side with a decorative medallion, makes it original and it can be inferred that it was probably inserted onto a piece of furniture, door, or plastered wall where only the Griffin and Caliph's name would be visible, the other side acting as a factory mark.

This work is accompanied by a detailed report on the chemical analysis of the glass plaque from the Ion Beam Centre at the University of Surrey in Guildford, confirming the date of the piece to the eighth to eleventh centuries.