A FINE SELJUK NIELLO GOLD GEM-SET BANGLE, PERSIA, 12TH CENTURY

A fine Seljuk niello gold gem-set bangle Persia, 12th Century.
With triangular section shank terminating in a double lion-head clasp, two seated lions either side of the raised conical bezel inset with a large red gemstone, a face to one side of the bezel, the shank with raised quatrefoil motifs interspersed by niello inscription-filled cartouches, engraved vegetal decoration to bezel; the ring with multifaceted bezel flanked by lion masks, the shank and sides of bezel engraved with cable design, set with large gemstone.
Diameter: 5.5 cm. max. Weight: 30.8 gr.

Inscriptions: al-'izz wa al-iqba[l]/ al-dawalah/ wa al-salamah/ wa al-sa'adah, 'Glory and Prosperity, turn of fortune, and well-being and happiness'; al-'izz wa al-iq[bal]/wa al-daw[lah]/... al-salamah/ wa al-sa'adah, 'Glory and Prosperity, wealth ... well-being and happiness'.

For a similar bangle in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, see M. Jenkins and M. Keene, Islamic Jewellery, New York, 1982, no. 25.