Base of Candlestand

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Base of Candlestand

Syria or Egypt, Late 13th century
Metal
Brass, inlaid with silver and gold
2 3/8 x 5 1/4 in. (6.03 x 13.33 cm)
The Madina Collection of Islamic Art, gift of Camilla Chandler Frost (M.2002.1.575)
Not currently on public view

Curator Notes

Most likely used in a private home, this diminutive candlestand, which lacks the columnar middle section and small tray on which the lamp rested, was transformed into a luxury item by the extensive go...
Most likely used in a private home, this diminutive candlestand, which lacks the columnar middle section and small tray on which the lamp rested, was transformed into a luxury item by the extensive gold and silver inlay that covers it. In contrast to clay and glass lamps (see M.2002.1.73 and M.88.129.181), this stand, which probably had a matching lamp, was most likely much costlier. A similar and more complete example in the Musée du Louvre, Paris, includes an inscription about its owner, revealing that such stands were commissioned by members of the ruling elite.
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Bibliography

  • Lo Terrenal y lo Divino: Arte Islámico siglos VII al XIX Colección del Museo de Arte del Condado de Los Ángeles. Santiago: Centro Cultural La Moneda, 2015.

  • Atil, Esin. Renaissance of Islam: Art of the Mamluks. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1981.