CULTURE / REGION OF ORIGIN: Egypt, Syria or Iran; possibly Seljuk.
DATE: Circa 12th Century AD.
DIMENSIONS: 3.5 cm tall (1.4 in.), 2.3 cm wide at base (0.9 in.)

DESCRIPTION: A hollow cast feline headed section from an incense burner, with stylized features and erect, pointed ears, a circular neck widening towards the bottom to a roughly “D” shape, round openings at the ears and mouth, and 5 triangular openings in the neck. Stable, dark green patina.

PROVENANCE: Formerly in the collection of Madame Olga & Monsieur Vincent Diniacopoulos, formerly of Montreal, Canada. The collection assembled 1910-1932 & 1954.

PUBLISHED: The Diniacopoulos Collection, Fragments of Time Auction Catalogue, ending June 1, 2001. Listed as part of Lot # 27 but not illustrated.

COMPARISONS: Ernst J. Grube. The World of Islam, New York, 1966, page 76 for a large and complete 12th Century Seljuk bronze incense burner in the form of a cat.