shown leaping forward with pulled-back ears, outstretched front leg and hind leg retracted, with elegantly poised feet, its tail flicked gently upwards, decorated with trefoil design to shoulder and haunch and delineated ears, two protruding elements for fastening to reverse
3cm. long

Footnotes

Provenance: French private collection.

This elegantly executed plaque was a fitting possibly for a piece of clothing or a belt.

Examples of hares depicted in profile with laid back ears can be found on carved wood panels and carved ivory panels in the Museum of Islamic Art, Cairo (Tresors fatimides du caire, Institut du monde arabe, Paris, 1998, Inv. 13979 and Inv. 3180, nos. 10-11). An almost identical Fatimid cast bronze hare is in the Keir Collection (Fehevari, Islamic Metalwork, Faber and Faber, 1976, no 33); and another in the Museum of Islamic Art, Cairo, has the same short upwards flicking tail (The Arts of Islam, Hayward Gallery, London, 1976, no. 169).

Additional information

This auction is now finished. If you are interested in consigning in future auctions, please contact the specialist department. If you have queries about lots purchased in this auction, please contact customer services.
Buyers' Obligations
ALL BIDDERS MUST AGREE THAT THEY HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD BONHAMS' CONDITIONS OF SALE AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THEM, AND AGREE TO PAY THE BUYER'S PREMIUM AND ANY OTHER CHARGES MENTIONED IN THE NOTICE TO BIDDERS. THIS AFFECTS THE BIDDERS LEGAL RIGHTS.
If you have any questions about the Conditions of Sale, please contact your nearest client services team.
From 28 June 2025, the import into the EU of non-EU property of a certain age (and in some categories above a certain value) is subject to additional requirements. Under the relevant EU Regulation, it is the Buyer's sole responsibility to assess whether any Lot meets the criteria for import into the EU. The refusal of any required Import Licence or Importer Statement, or any delay in obtaining such Licence or Statement shall not give rise to the rescission or cancellation of any Sale, nor allow any delay in making full payment for the Lot.
Buyers' Premium and Charges
For all Sales categories, buyer's premium excluding Cars, Motorbikes, Wine, Whisky and Coin & Medal sales, will be as follows:
Buyer's Premium Rates
28% on the first £40,000 of the hammer price;
27% of the hammer price of amounts in excess of £40,000 up to and including £800,000;
21% of the hammer price of amounts in excess of £800,000 up to and including £4,500,000;
and 14.5% of the hammer price of any amounts in excess of £4,500,000.
A 3rd party bidding platform fee of 4% of the Hammer Price for Buyers using the following bidding platforms will be added to the invoices of successful Buyers for auctions starting on or after 6th July 2024 – Invaluable; Live Auctioneers; The Saleroom; Lot-tissimo.
VAT at the current rate of 20% will be added to the Buyer's Premium and charges excluding Artists Resale Right.
Payment Notices
For payment information please refer to the sale catalog.
Shipping Notices
For information and estimates on domestic and international shipping as well as export licenses please contact Bonhams Shipping Department.
- Islamic and Indian Art

A Fatimid bronze Plaque in the form of a hare Egypt, 11th-12th Century

Own a similar item?

Looking for a similar item?

Ask about this lot

Oliver White