Name of Object:Candlestick Location:Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom Holding Museum:National Museums of Scotland (NMS) About National Museums of Scotland (NMS), Edinburgh Date of Object:Hegira 8th century / AD 14th century Museum Inventory Number:A. 1966.79 Material(s) / Technique(s):Hammered and incised sheet-brass with remains of silver inlay. Dimensions:Height 27.94 cm; diameter (at base) 25.40 cm Period / Dynasty:Mamluk Provenance:Egypt or Syria. Description:A candlestick with a truncated, conical body and double ridges around the lower edge and below the shoulder. The shoulder is flattened and has been damaged and repaired. From the centre of the shoulder a cylindrical neck rises into a projecting candle socket, echoing the shape of the body in the double ridges around its base and mouth; damage and deformation affect the aperture of the socket. The candlestick is embellished with incised decoration, much of which was originally inlaid with silver. On the socket there is a cursive inscription band, interrupted by roundels with whirling rosettes and enclosed by a continuous plain border. The inscription gives the official titles of the owner. The two ridges of the socket are enhanced by hatching. View Short DescriptionIn Mamluk times splendid silver- and gold-inlaid utensils were commissioned by officials and rulers. Most show proud large-scale inscriptions with the patron’s name or titles, some are radial sun-like compositions around the owner’s emblem, attesting to his self-confidence and spiritual aspirations. Original Owner:Sultan al-Nasir Nasir al-Din Muhammad ibn Qalawun How date and origin were established:Produced for Sultan al-Nasir Nasir al-Din Muhammad ibn Qalawun who was twice deposed, reigning three times: 693–4/698–708/709–741 / AD 741 / 1293–4/1299–1309/1310–1340. How Object was obtained:Purchased by NMS from Bluett and Sons, London, in 1966. How provenance was established:The style of this candlestick is consistent with Mamluk metalwork executed during the 8th / 14th century in both Egypt and Syria, characterized in particular by the large and emphatic titular inscriptions, highlighted by silver inlay. There is also a notable tendency to display inscriptions in radial compositions around the blazon of the owner like sun rays; a device that probably held symbolic significance and attests to the self-confidence and spiritual aspirations of Mamluk patrons. Lotus blossoms are also in evidence during this period, coupled on occasion with peonies and other minor chinoiserie motifs. Citation of this web page:Ulrike Al-Khamis "Candlestick" in Discover Islamic Art, Museum With No Frontiers, 2024. https://islamicart.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=object;ISL;uk;Mus03;19;en Prepared by: Ulrike Al-Khamis
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