8777

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    Brass Crescent Mosque Dome Finial

    Probably Northern Africa, possibly Egypt, or Turkey
    19th century

    height: 49.2cm, width: 18.3cm, depth: 15.7cm, weight: 3,083g

    Sold

    Provenance

    UK art market

    – scroll down to see further images –

    This cast brass crescent moon atop a turned brass baluster support was made to adorn the dome of a mosque. Such crescent moon finials were used widely in the Islamic world. This example probably is from northern Africa, possibly Egypt.

    Why the crescent moon has been adopted as a symbol of Islam is unclear (the new, full moon would be more appropriate.)

    The crescent however has become associated with Islam across the world and with its many versions. It is said that the bakers of Vienna, baked a buttery bread to celebrate the city’s defeat of the Ottomans who had laid siege to the city in 1683. The bread was in the form of a crescent – the emblem used by the Ottomans. This crescent-shaped bread was what we now know as the croissant.

    The finial here is in fine condition. The upper section shows signs of age.

    For a related example, see lot 346, Sotheby’s London, ‘Arts of the Islamic World’, October 6, 2010.

    References

    Sotheby’s London, ‘Arts of the Islamic World’, October 6, 2010.

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