EGYPT OR SYRIA, FIRST HALF 14TH CENTURY

Details

A MAMLUK GOLD AND SILVER-INLAID CANDLESTICK
EGYPT OR SYRIA, FIRST HALF 14TH CENTURY
Of typical truncated conical form, the base with a main register inscribed in thuluth script on scrolling floriated ground, interspersed with large circular medallions enclosing gold calligraphic inscriptions reading al-Malik al-Nasir bordered with vegetal meander, with bands of palmette scrolls above and below, the shoulder with scrollworks, the neck with a calligraphic band in thuluth script, the interior with later added inscription reading waliduhu Muhammad, with old gallery labels, inlay missing, slight surface corrosion
9¾in. (25cm.) high

Special notice

VAT rate of 5% is payable on hammer price and at 20% on the buyer's premium.

Lot Essay

The inscription around the base reads al-jannab al-karim al-'ali al-mawlawi al-maliki al-amiri al-kabiri al-ghazi al-mujahidi dama 'izzuhu ("His Honourable Excellency, the High, the Lordly, the Royal, the Great Amir, the Victorious, the Holy Warrior, may his Glory endure").

Around the neck, al-jannab al-karim al-'ali al-mawlawi al-maliki ("His Honourable Excellency, the High, the Lordly, the Royal").

In gold, within the circular medallion is the name of al-Malik al-Nasir, very probably referring to al-Malik al-Nasir Muhammad bin Qalawun (r. 1294-1341 with short interruptions).

A candlestick of comparable form, decorated with simila medallions inscribed "Al-Malik al-Nasir" and dated to the early 14th century was offered at Sotheby's, 5th October 2011, lot 245.

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