IRAN, 17TH CENTURY

细节

A SAFAVID ENGRAVED BRASS TORCHSTAND (SHAMDAN)
IRAN, 17TH CENTURY
Of slightly tapering cylindrical form on spreading foot, the faceted central register bordered by slightly raised bands and engraved with stepped lozenges filled with interlaced arabesques on cross-hatched ground, meandering floral vine above and below, the mouth with a band of nasta'liq inscription cartouches between further meandering vine bands, similar engraved floral bands around the foot, the reversible cover either with an open cylindrical drum engraved with two bands of nasta'liq cartouches alternated with meandering vine or arcaded band, or inverted with domed cover engraved with interlaced arabesques rising to everted floral finial, base of candle socket remaining above
14 1/8in. (36cm.) high

荣誉呈献

Andrew Butler-Wheelhouse

abutler-wheelhouse@christies.com +44 (0)20 7389 2196

拍品专文

The body of this shamdan is inscribed with verses in Persian inculding two distichs from Sa'di's Bustan:

'I remember one night as my eyes wouldn't close , I heard the butterfly tell the candle , I am stricken with love, if I burn 'tis but right,But why do you weep, why burn yourself out?'

For the same verses see A.S. Melikian Chirvani, Islamic Metalwork from the Iranian World, 8-18th Centuries, London, 1982, no. 137, pp.309-310.

Around the top are the first two distichs of an ode by Ahli Torshizi (op. cit., no. 148, pp.326-27).