An Elephant-form Cast Bronze Hammer Head, Khurasan, 12th -13th century

the square-section head with a square face tapering to a terminal in the form of an elephant's head, with ridge moulding dividing each facet and a central rectangular aperture for attaching the haft, chiselled with geometric, calligraphic and foliate filled registers, the flat face engraved with foliate motifs

pitting and patination, some knocks to extremities, as viewed
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Elephant form hammers are rare. Related examples are in the Keir Collection, (see Fehérvári 1976, plate 35, no.105) and the Furusiyya Art Foundation, (see Paris 2007, p.258, no.248). Similar examples were sold through these rooms, 3 May 2001 lot 103 and 5 April 2006 lot 78.