A SICULO-ARABIC GILT-COPPER-MOUNTED IVORY CASKET**

A related casket, also attributed to Sicily, was exhibited in 1985 ('The Unity of Islam, exh. cat., London and Riyadh, 1985, no. 174, pp. 196-7). With slightly different proportions, it shares with the present example the use of concentric roundels as decoration. Other examples are known of this shape, some of which are painted. A notable Spanish example, showing the geographical spread of such pieces, with Arabic inscription around the cover, is in the Instituto Valencia de Don Juan, Madrid (Higuera, Teresa Prez: Objetos-e Imagines de al-Andalus, Madrid, n.d., p.30).

Another similar casket, but with more elaborate mounts, was sold Christie's, London, 15 October 2002, lot 77.