- 287
A carved sandstone tile with leafy detail, probably Delhi, circa 1200-25 AD
Estimate
6,000 - 8,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- sandstone
the square sandstone tile carved in deep relief featuring a leafy motif
Condition
Surface abraded throughout as consistent with age, remnants of original smoothness of surface visible, chips to edges, particularly along top edge, 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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
The following three carved stone panels are evocative of the tradition of Indo-Islamic architectural epigraphy used on a grand scale in Sultanate India. Each one forming part of a continuous frieze, two contain letters from a section of an inscription identified as part of surah al-'Imran (III), verse 18 (lots 288 and 289). The present tile probably formed the last part of the inscription as the end of a letter appears, possibly from a saad, shin, siin, or daad with the tip of a palmette which echoes the same calligraphic form.
Such monumental epigraphic friezes became iconic features of the North Indian skyline under Sultanate rule towards the end of the twelfth/beginning of the thirteenth century. Combining features of Ghurid brick and stucco decoration introduced into India through the conquest of Delhi by the Ghurid Sultan Mu’izz al-Din Muhammad (r.1173-1206) with Arabic calligraphy and the stone carving tradition of North India, these panels are emblematic of these hybrid forms. The earliest inscriptions appear on monuments constructed during the governorship and subsequent rule of Qutb al-Din Aybak (r. 1206-10), notably the Quwwat al-Islam Mosque and Qutb Minar in Delhi (W. Kwiatkowski, “Sultanate Stone Friezes” in Red Stone: Indian stone carving from Sultanate and Mughal India, London, 2012, p.105).
Thirteen panels from a comparable epigraphic frieze of carved sandstone, attributed to North India, late twelfth/early thirteenth century, are in the collection of the Louvre Abu Dhabi (inv. no. LAD 2012-024). See L. Des Cars (ed.), Louvre Abu Dhabi, Birth of a Museum, Paris, 2013, pp.78-79.
Such monumental epigraphic friezes became iconic features of the North Indian skyline under Sultanate rule towards the end of the twelfth/beginning of the thirteenth century. Combining features of Ghurid brick and stucco decoration introduced into India through the conquest of Delhi by the Ghurid Sultan Mu’izz al-Din Muhammad (r.1173-1206) with Arabic calligraphy and the stone carving tradition of North India, these panels are emblematic of these hybrid forms. The earliest inscriptions appear on monuments constructed during the governorship and subsequent rule of Qutb al-Din Aybak (r. 1206-10), notably the Quwwat al-Islam Mosque and Qutb Minar in Delhi (W. Kwiatkowski, “Sultanate Stone Friezes” in Red Stone: Indian stone carving from Sultanate and Mughal India, London, 2012, p.105).
Thirteen panels from a comparable epigraphic frieze of carved sandstone, attributed to North India, late twelfth/early thirteenth century, are in the collection of the Louvre Abu Dhabi (inv. no. LAD 2012-024). See L. Des Cars (ed.), Louvre Abu Dhabi, Birth of a Museum, Paris, 2013, pp.78-79.