Not currently on display at the V&A

Torch Stand

1100-1200 (cast)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The stand has a domed base with three hooved legs that rest on rosette-shaped plaques. Stylized bird-heads curve outwards along the rim on either side of each leg.
The shaft is hollow and six-sided. Each facet is decorated with a pierecd pattern.
Below and above the shaft are an an ellipsoid hollow sphere, also with pierced pattern.

The upper sphere supports a ribbed bowl. Encircling the bowl's outer rim is a band of scroll pattern. On the rim itself eleven moulded birds are perched, looking out at the viewer. Each bird's head is laterally pierced, forming an eye when seen sideways.

Patina: Darkish brown to olive.


Object details

Category
Object type
Materials and techniques
Bronze cast in five pieces. Decorated with cut-out geometric designs.
Brief description
Bronze torch-stand with a domed base, legs, decorated hexagonal shaft, and bowl-shaped receptacle
Physical description
The stand has a domed base with three hooved legs that rest on rosette-shaped plaques. Stylized bird-heads curve outwards along the rim on either side of each leg.
The shaft is hollow and six-sided. Each facet is decorated with a pierecd pattern.
Below and above the shaft are an an ellipsoid hollow sphere, also with pierced pattern.

The upper sphere supports a ribbed bowl. Encircling the bowl's outer rim is a band of scroll pattern. On the rim itself eleven moulded birds are perched, looking out at the viewer. Each bird's head is laterally pierced, forming an eye when seen sideways.

Patina: Darkish brown to olive.
Dimensions
  • Without added well height: 65.6cm
  • Of base not including the projected elements diameter: 23.5cm
Style
Gallery label
LAMP-STAND Bronze, obtained at Bukhara. PERSIAN; 14th century (?).(Used until 10/2002)
Object history
Purchased from Mirza Sarkis Ayvazoff on 21st July 1903.
It is not unlikely that the base on the one hand, and the cut-out shaft and balusters on the other hand, were not originally intended for each other. Judging from the corrosion and patina, the adjustment would, however, appear to have been made at an early period.
The ribbed well was fitted in later times.
Historical context
The Musim-i Rawza at Ghanzi owns a similar base, illustrated in Melikian-Chirvani 1982 p.54 plate 17A.
Bibliographic reference
Melikian-Chirvani, A.S. Islamic Metalwork from the Iranian World,London:HMSO, 1982, p53-54. ISBN 0 11 290252 9
Collection
Accession number
1417-1903

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Record createdMarch 12, 2003
Record URL
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