A SAFAVID BRASS TORCHSTAND

Details

A SAFAVID BRASS TORCHSTAND
PERSIA, LATE 16TH CENTURY

Of cylindrical form with flaring foot, the central register with vertical facets between two raised bands, engraved with staggered rows of lozenges containing arabesque interlace designs on a black mastic ground, divided by chevron panels of nasta'liq inscriptions on a red mastic ground, the upper register with a central red ground inscription band between black floral meander bands, the foot with further similar bands, the roundels later engraved, one with the erroneous date of 722, surface slightly rubbed, some losses of coloured mastic, particularly on the foot
15¾in. (40cm.) high

Lot Essay

Examples of Safavid metalwork with any of the original coloured mastic remaining are rare. An example was sold in these rooms 25 April 1995, lot 308. Further examples can be seen in the Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg. The roundels dividing the inscription cartouches around the foot were probably originally plain, a feature that can be found in a number of candlesticks. At a later date they have been engraved with a spurious owner's name and date.

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