Description:

Near East, Persia, Safavid Dynasty, ca. 1763 to 1764 CE (1177 AH). A breathtaking damascened steel saddle axe known as a tabar zin signed Ali Muhammed Reza, son of Lotf' Ali and dated to 1177 AH or 1763 to 1764 on the Gregorian calendar. Elaborately decorated, each side is chiseled with a raised lobed cartouche of interlacing split-palmettes and naturalistic floral motifs topped by a pendant design enclosing an arabesque pattern. The ground displays a hunting scene of 2 figures on horseback surrounded by meandering forms of dragons, animals, and buildings. All is enclosed in lustrous, damascened borders with a signature and date from the artist on the underside. Size: 5.5" L x 1.5" W x 3.25" H (14 cm x 3.8 cm x 8.3 cm); gold quality: 53% (equivalent to over 12 karats)

A nearly identical tabar zin hammered $37,500 (now equivalent to $49,794.26 with inflation) at Rago Arts and Auction Center in Lambertville, New Jersey, USA on December 5, 2015 ("Great Estates," lot 603).

Provenance: private New York, USA collection, acquired in May 2023; ex-Milea Bros Ltd, Boonton, New Jersey, USA; ex-Kaminski Auctions, Beverly, Massachusetts, USA, sold in April 2018

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#187560

  • Condition: Some light surface wear with abrasions to butt and some minor losses to gold in areas, but otherwise, intact and excellent with impressive preservation of decoration. Light patina in areas.

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August 2, 2024 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000