Publication Date
597 - 637 / 1201 - 1239
Publication Place
-
Islamic Museum, Al-Haram Al-Sharif
Subject
Copper inlaid with gold and silver, shaped by hammering and engraving.
Type
Other
Language
Undetermined
Digital
Yes
Manuscript
No
Physical Dimensions
الارتفاع الكلي: 39 سم؛ ارتفاع الرقبة: 20 سم؛ قطر القاعدة: 31 سم
Library
Museum With No Frontiers
Library Asset ID
م/ ن/1
Record ID
object;ISL;pa;Mus01;17;ar
Library Location
Islamic Museum, Al-Haram Al-Sharif
Date
597 - 637 / 1201 - 1239
Notes
The piece is an elaborate brass candlestick consisting of a base, body and neck. The base is ribbed, with a thin decorative band inlaid with gold wrapped around its lower part, and a series of protruding arches wrapped around its upper part. The body of the candlestick is decorated with a series of arches supported by columns with bases and capitals, all protruding from the surface of the body. These contracts contain within them a band containing an engraved inscription inlaid with silver, written in a relatively large thuluth script, which reads: “Glory be to our Lord, the King, the King, the Just, the Supporter, Al-Muzaffar Al-Mansur, the Nasser of the World and the Religion, the Qutb of Islam and the Muslims, Artaq Arslan Ibn Ilghazi Ibn Artaq, Commander of the Faithful, may God perpetuate his shadow and give glory to his victory.” Above this band there is another inscription written in a smaller font than the previous inscription, and it appears to have been added later. It reads: “Sultan King Al-Mansur, the star of the world and the religion, Abu Al-Fath Ghazi Ibn Artaq...” The upper part of the candlestick’s body is decorated with relief pointed arches that contain floral decorations inside them. As for the neck of the candlestick, it is not original. Rather, the original neck was replaced with this neck at a later time. The neck begins with a wide circular section when it meets the body and then gradually narrows. It resembles an inverted funnel and is topped with a wide surface (a tray) to hold the candle. This neck lacks any decorative elements, which suggests that it is not original. It seems that the necks of the candlesticks were often damaged, as the Islamic Museum in Jerusalem has a collection of candlesticks that had their necks replaced. This candlestick, in terms of its shape and type, is considered rare. How it arrived in Jerusalem remains a mystery. Most likely, it was placed either at Al-Aqsa Mosque or at the Dome of the Rock, but it was not made for either. The inscriptions it bears do not indicate the purpose for which it was made, which enhances the possibility that it was later brought to Jerusalem in some way. It is clear, based on the inscriptions on this candlestick, that it remained in the possession of its owners for two generations.
Sample Text
Nazmi Al-Ju'beh “Candlestick” in Discover Islamic Art. Museum Without Borders, 2026. https://islamicart.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=object;ISL;pa;Mus01;17;ar
