A rare group of Seljuq silver-gilt horse trappings, Persia, 12th century

composed of thirty-eight gilded and nielloed silver bridle ornaments, including two halves of a whip-handle chased with scrolling decoration and an ornamental Kufic inscription, also including a fan-shaped handle featuring a stylised lion in the repoussé technique, the other pieces with some scrolling palmette decoration in chased, gilded or niello technique, fitted inside a blue velvet lined box

inscriptions

To top and lower panels of handle:
'Wisdom, glory and greatness belong to Allah'

Along the five roundels:
'Longevity and glory belong to Allah'

For further information on similar harness fittings, see: M. Spink, "Belt and harness fittings from Iran and Central Asia" in The Art of Adornment, The Nasser D. Khalili Collection of Islamic Art, Vol. XVII, ed. M. Spink and J. Ogden, Nour Foundation, London, 2013, pp.320-41.