Bronze Chess Piece of the Caliph Harun al-Rashid - AM.0098, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 780 AD to 850 AD, Dimensions: 3.4" (8.6cm) high, Collection: Near Eastern, Style: Abbasid, Medium: Bronze, This attractive sculpture is a chess piece from Persia. The caliphate of Harun al Rashid marked a cultural high point in the administrations of the Abbasid caliphs in the latter half of the 1st millennium. Literally translated as “Aaron the Just/Upright/Rightly-Guided”, he was born in 763 and took over the caliphate in 786. By the time he died in 809, his kingdom was renowned for its liberalism. While in many respects rather warrior-like in demeanour and deed, he was also a civilised and cultured man whose lavish court lifestyle is said to be the inspiration behind the Tales of 1001 nights. He founded a library, encouraged scientific endeavours, and created an environment conducive to artistic and cultural production.

Antiquities
Ancient Near East