A Siculo-Arabic ivory and gilt copper cylindrical box or pyx (pyxide), 12/13th C.

H: 6,5 cm, Dia.: 11 cm

The form of this small pyxide is very similar to that of other Siculo-Arabic small caskets attributed to Islamic ivory carvers working in Sicily during the 12th century.
Many such caskets have painted details which illustrate their clear Islamic origins.

The prsent example is closely related to an example recently sold in 2012 at Christie's London, Sale 8055, Lot 705, Feb. 10, 2012: http://www.christies.com/lotfinder/lot/a-silver-mounted-cylindrical-ivory-pyxide-siculo-arabic-12th-5527640-details.aspx

Condition: 3 nails replaced by later screws, probably done in the 18the or 19th C. One nail missing on the bottom. The closing metal (just the adjustable part) probably a later replacement.

Other related examples are:
1) The Metropolitan Museum, New York: http://www.metmuseum.org/collection/the-collection-online/search/446818
2) The Victoria and Albert Museum, London (this example is supposedly of German origin): http://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O148209/box-unknown/
3) The Victoria and Albert Museum, London: http://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O106797/casket-unknown/
4) The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore: http://art.thewalters.org/detail/33123/turned-cylindrical-box-with-molded-decoration/
5) Sotheby's London, Arts of the Islamic World, Apr. 22, 2015: http://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2015/arts-islamic-world-l15220/lot.177.html

Provenance: The piece as acquired some 45 years ago from antiques dealer Michel Koenig. It has since been in a private collection in the wider Brussels area. A hand-written and signed statement by the owner will be delivered to the buyer.

Price incl. premium: € 16.575