SELJUQ ANATOLIA, SECOND HALF 13TH OR EARLY 14TH CENTURY

Candlesticks of this type can be attributed to Anatolia thanks to the research of A.S. Melikian-Chirvani (Islamic Metalwork from the Iranian World, 8th-18th Centuries, London, 1982, pp. 356-368). Melikian-Chirvani posits that the fact that many of these candlesticks were preserved in Anatolia and indeed that some were removed from Armenian religious buildings, locates them as such. One candlestick in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London bears a later Armenian inscription dated 1691 AD (M.35-1923) dedicating it to a shrine at Sebastia (Sivas). Priscilla Soucek further reinforces this by drawing parallels between 13th century carpets and tilework from Konya, and the influences of the arrangement of princely scenes in late 12th/early 13th century Jaziran manuscript painting, on these candlesticks (P. Soucek, Islamic Art from the University of Michigan Collections, Ann Arbor, 1978, nos.69-70).

James Allan comments on the frequent appearance of the sun-symbol motif on candlesticks of this type. On ours, there is a ten-pointed star with rotating and projecting rays. Of this motif, Allan suggests that these "symbols of light" are "appropriate both of its use and to the well-being of its users", tying together both the functional and decorative elements. A comparable candlestick with similar hunting depictions, courtly life, and sun-symbols is published in Islamic metalwork: The Nuhad Es-Said Collection (James W. Allan, New Jersey, 1982, p.58). The stylised kufic found on the neck of our candlestick can be compared to similar designs found on Seljuq carpets found in Anatolia, further helping to locate it (Soucek, op.cit.).

An example with similar hunting scenes in the roundels was sold in these Rooms, 25 April 2024, lot 28. For further examples of candlesticks of this type and decoration, please see two in Victoria and Albert Museum, London (M.28-1946 and M.711-1910).