A fine carved jade pendant, Turkey or Persia, 16th century

carved in the form of a palmette with cusped edges incised with an arabesque of scrolling tendrils issuing full and split-palmettes inlaid with red lac

in good condition, natural inclusions to jade, minor abrasions to surface, 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."

The decoration is typical of the Timurid/ early Safavid period and finds many parallels in Herati manuscript illumination and the intricate inlay work of late Timurid metalwork from the reign of Sultan Husayn Bayqara (1470-1506). A portrait of Sultan-Husayn Mirza attributed to Bizhad, circa 1500-1525 in the Arthur M.Sackler Museum, Harvard, displays an almost identical arabesque tracery around the shoulders of his jacket (Lentz and Lowry 1989, p.243, cat. no. 136). Both pendant and portrait display the distinctive unfurling leaves and buds that became part of the decorative vocabularly of the international Timurid style. This style moved westwards as witnessed by the nephrite jade jug in the Topkapi Saray Museum (no.1844), itself a Timurid piece but re-worked with a gold-inlaid inscription bearing a dedication to Shah Isma'il I (1501-24) (see Thompson and Canby 2003, p.2, fig.1.1).

Jade (yashm) was prized by the Turkmen tribes for its prophylactic as well as its visual qualities. It was believed to detect poison, cure eye disease and stomach illness, and to protect against natural calamities such as earthquakes and lightning. Its putative magical, talismanic attributes extended to the battle field. According to Al-Biruni: "It is said that jade or one variety of it is called the victory stone and for this reason the Turks decorated their swords, saddles and belts with it, desirous of gaining victory over their contestants and opponents. Others emulate them in this respect by fashioning from it seals and knife handle." (Lentz and Lowry 1989, p.221)