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Buwayhid prince ‛Adud al-Dawla
on the reverse of a medallion
Reverse
Medallion
Historical periods: 11th-12th century
Medium: Gold
Dimensions: 5.2 x 4.3 cm (2 1/16 x 1 11/16 in)
Weight: 29 grams
Geography: Iran
Collection: Freer Gallery of Art
Accession Number: F1943.8
Label: An enthroned figure, holding a goblet and surrounded by attendants, appears on the obverse of this medallion. The reverse depicts a royal rider hunting with falcons. The two scenes represent the concepts of feasting (bazm) and fighting or hunting (razm), associated with the Persian ideals of kingship. Few examples of such imagery in gold have survived, since gold was often melted down for reuse.
The reverse is referenced as figure 359 in The military technology of classical Islam by D Nicolle
359. Medallion of ʿAdud al Dawla (?), late 10th century AD, Būyid, Freer Gallery of Art, Washington (Kou).
pp206-7 A form of leg protection known as the sāq seems to have been used throughout the period under review in many parts of the eastern Islamic world, though perhaps remaining rare. Some, or perhaps all, were fastened to a belt by iron hooks.27 Although those referred to by al Ṭabarī were of mail,28, their shape may have corresponded to leggings which, drawn up over the wearer's knees and presumably fastened to a belt, feature in many illustrated sources from the east (Figs. 18, 126, 233, 237, 300, 307, 313, 331, 334, 341, 342, 356, 359, 365, 400, 422, 468, 477 and 623.
27. Al Ṭabarī, op. cit. vol. II, pp. 586-587.
28. Ibid.
The reverse is referenced on p12, Armies of the Caliphates 862-1098 by David Nicolle Gold medallion showing the Buwayhid prince ‛Adud al-Dawla, late 10th century. (Free Gallery of Art, Washington)