Lot 205: AN OTTOMAN SILVER-INLAID IRON HORSESHOE, BALKANS, 19TH CENTURY

An Ottoman iron horseshoe of circular form, originating from the Balkans and dating to the 19th century. The upper surface is decorated with silver-damascened ornamentation. A central almond-shaped mandorla contains an interlocking calligraphic inscription in Arabic script, set against a ground of dense scrolling foliate and floral arabesques. A large stylised palmette occupies the lower portion of the design. The piece features a central circular aperture and ten peripheral holes arranged in two arcs of five along the sides. The technique involves hammering silver into a cross-hatched surface on the iron ground, a method known as koftgari.

L: 11cm