A pair of Fatimid or Ayyubid gold filigree earrings in the form of loving doves, Syria, 12th century

fashioned as a pair of loving doves each with its wings folded back with wedge-shaped tail feathers decorated with applied circles of twisted wire and twisted wire borders, each attached by thin wire hoops to thicker suspension hooks

ex-Japanese private collection

some wear and patination, overall good condition, 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."

A pair of comparable gold earrings with bird components was exhibited at the Hayward Gallery in 1976, on loan from the National Museum, Damascus and reportedly found in Aleppo (London 1976, p.202, no.240); another single earring in the form of a bird is reputedly in the Museo Arqueológico de Granada (unpublished). The applied wire-work and rope-pattern circles on the tail feathers relate to twelfth-century gold jewellery attributed to Iran (see Hasson, R., Early Islamic Jewellery, Jerusalem, 1987, pp.34-35, nos.28-29). Compare also the pair of Seljuq gold earrings offered in these rooms, 9 April 2008, lot 122.