Leyre (or Pamplona) Casket of ‘Abd al-Malik al-Muzaffar, Umayyad Spain, 1004-1005AD
This casket was made for ‘Abd al-Malik al-Muzaffar and seems to have been commissioned to celebrate his victory of 1004-1005 over the kingdom of León, obtaining thus the caliphate of Hishâm II and the title of Sayf al-Dawla (‘Sabre of the State’).
Two medallions on the front panel of the lid of the casket display:
A horseman hunting a lion
A hunter on horse with a raptor
The three medallions on the front of the body present scenes from courtly life.
Two men seated on a throne
Three musicians playing the lute, a horn and a double flute
A man on a throne & two attendants
Rear panel of the lid.
Warriors on horse-sized elephants
Rear of the body of the casket.
Two horsemen fighting
A hunter defending himself with a shield against two lions
Two men mounted on elephants fighting
Late Umayyad Warriors by by Ian Heath based on the Leyre Casket of ‘Abd al-Malik al-Muzaffar
The only riders noted by Ian Heath as not using stirrups are actually elephant riders.
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Leyre (or Pamplona) Casket of ‘Abd al-Malik al-Muzaffar, Umayyad Spain, 1004-1005AD
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