Bidspirit auction | A FINELY CARVED FATIMID AMETHYST

A FINELY CARVED FATIMID AMETHYST GLASS VESSEL - Ca. 11th - 12th century AD . A rare perfume flask, expertly carved from a single piece of amethyst. This vessel exemplifies the Fatimid elite’s taste for luxury, as amethyst was considered a precious stone, valued for its purity, durability, and symbolic properties. The flask’s elegant, elongated form is adorned with intricate, symmetrical carvings, featuring spiraling palmettes and stylised vegetal motifs - a hallmark of Islamic decorative arts. These swirling patterns are deeply incised, creating a textural contrast that enhances the stone’s natural translucency. Fatimid artisans, renowned for their lapidary skills, often worked with semi-precious stones for perfume flasks, amulets, and courtly objects. The choice of amethyst suggests a royal or aristocratic patronage, as the stone was associated with spiritual protection and wealth.Size: 75mm x 25mm; Weight: 45gProvenance: Previous property of a UK based Islamic art professional. This item has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database and comes with a confirmation letter.