This item has been added to the Database within the Explore Islamic Art Collections project. Information is available in: English, Arabic.

Name of Object:

Chandelier

Location:

Hamburg, Germany

Holding Museum:

MKG Museum for Applied Arts

About MKG Museum for Applied Arts, Hamburg

Date of Object:

Hegira early 8th century / AD Early 14th century

Museum Inventory Number:

1894.29

Material(s) / Technique(s):

Brass metal

Dimensions:

Height: 25.5cm, Diameter: 21.2cm

Period / Dynasty:

Safavid

Provenance:

Northern Iran

Description:

This silver-inlaid brass candlestick is decorated with geometric, circular rosettes which are framed by interlacing bands, floral ornaments, and stylised birds. A unique feature of this candlestick is an extensively employed cross-like ornament. Based on this cross shape, the candlestick has been identified as a Christian sacral object of Armenian origin.
It remains unclear, however, whether this form was actually intended to represent a cross in the Christian sense. The candlestick has been ascribed to different periods and places, including to the city of Konya in Turkey. It has also be attributed to the Seljuq period, but has previously been assigned to the Mamluk period.

How date and origin were established:

The shape of the candlestick is reminiscent of Sejuki works from Konya, Turkey, but it is barely damascened. In the purchase book of the MKG, the candlestick is described as an Armenian candlestick.

How Object was obtained:

Purchased in 1894.

How provenance was established:

Purchased from D. Kélékian, Paris.

Selected bibliography:

Porter, V. and Rosser-Owen, M., Metalwork and Material Culture in the Islamic World: Art, Craft and Text: Essays Present to James W. Allan, London: I. B. Tauris, 2012.
Ward, R., Islamic Metalwork, London: British Museum Press, 1993.

Citation of this web page:

 "Chandelier" in Explore Islamic Art Collections. Museum With No Frontiers, 2026.
https://islamicart.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=object;EPM;de;Mus21;32;en

Copyedited by: Caitlin Link

MWNF Working Number: DE1 32