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Lot Essay
A very similar candlestick to that offered here is in the Keir Collection (G. Fehérvári, Islamic Metalwork of the Eighth to the Fifteenth Century in the Keir Collection, London 1976, no. 100, p.85 and pl.34a). The Keir collection example is however made of bronze and has a pierced neck and mouth, unlike ours. It is dated to the 12th-13th century. While the material of the present example differs, the overall shape and in particular the pierced decoration of the body are very similar. The secondary decoration of our example with its engraved elongated arabesques on a cross-hatched ground is not possible in the mediaeval period. This feature, coupled with the material used, are typical of Persian metalwork of the 15th century.
Four other similar tinned copper examples have been published. A very similar example was sold in these Rooms 19 October 1993, lot 385; another example with more openwork but less engraving on the surface was offered here, 18 October 1994, lot 403; and a third with openwork calligraphic body is in the David Collection, Copenhagen (K. Von Folsach, Islamic Art in the David Collection, Copenhagen, 2001, no.524, p.326). A similar candlestick to that in the David Collection recently sold in these Rooms, 13 April 2010, lot 78.
Four other similar tinned copper examples have been published. A very similar example was sold in these Rooms 19 October 1993, lot 385; another example with more openwork but less engraving on the surface was offered here, 18 October 1994, lot 403; and a third with openwork calligraphic body is in the David Collection, Copenhagen (K. Von Folsach, Islamic Art in the David Collection, Copenhagen, 2001, no.524, p.326). A similar candlestick to that in the David Collection recently sold in these Rooms, 13 April 2010, lot 78.