Publication Date
693- 741 / 1294- 1340
Publication Place
-
Islamic Museum, Al-Haram Al-Sharif
Subject
Engraved brass and inlaid with silver.
Type
Other
Language
Undetermined
Digital
Yes
Manuscript
No
Physical Dimensions
الارتفاع: 38.5 سم؛ القطر: 23.5 سم؛ ارتفاع الرقبة: 19.5سم
Library
Museum With No Frontiers
Library Asset ID
أ/ ن/ 4
Record ID
object;ISL;pa;Mus01;20;ar
Library Location
Islamic Museum, Al-Haram Al-Sharif
Date
693- 741 / 1294- 1340
Notes
The piece is a brass candlestick consisting of a cylindrical base and body, a cylindrical neck with a small diameter compared to the diameter of the base and body, and ending with a cylindrical stand that is wider than the neck. Three decorative bands wrap around the relatively wide base of the candlestick. The first band consists of ovals separated from each other by rhombuses. The second strip consists of braided half-leaves wrapped around themselves as if they were knots. The third stripe is closer to the shape of an ear of wheat. The body of this candlestick is similar to the body of another candlestick also owned by the museum, which is the candlestick of Al-Nasir Muhammad bin Qalawun. The body of the candlestick shown here contains a band containing an inscription in large Mamluk naskh script that fills its surface. The spaces between the letters of the text are filled with continuous, overlapping floral leaves, so that no space remains on the surface of the body of the candlestick. The text of the tape reads, “The Mawlawi headquarters of the Grand Emir Al-Adli Al-Maliki Al-Nasiri.” The writing strip is interrupted by two circular medallions, each of which consists of an outer circle filled with drawings of lotus flowers, and an inner circle that includes a large flower. The body ends with two bands containing floral decorations very similar to the rest of the body decorations. The tray (back) of the candlestick is completely devoid of decoration. It is likely that this tray is a replacement for the original tray, which was often decorated and may have contained an inscription strip. The tray was most likely replaced when the neck of the candlestick was replaced at an unknown time. The alternate neck, which is devoid of any decoration, indicates poor craftsmanship. The great similarity between this candlestick and the candlestick of Al-Nasir Muhammad leads us to believe that their maker was the same, and that they were made in the same time period.
Sample Text
Nazmi Al-Ju'beh “Qalawun Candlestick” in Discover Islamic Art. Museum Without Borders, 2026. https://islamicart.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=object;ISL;pa;Mus01;20;ar
