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Not currently on display at the V&A

One-wick oil-lamp

Lamp
1100-1200 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The well is shaped like a bi-sected pear. It tapers to a small, pointed spout shaped like a lotus bud. The figures of two confronted birds (parakeets?) are engraved and inlaid either side of the broken-off ring handle. On both sides of the well cartouches enclose engraved epigraphic sections. The flat rim of the well is decorated with further epigraphic sections.
At the rear of the well is a square-ended projection where the ring handle was once attached. Either side of this are two triangular cartouches enclosing foliate scrolls.
The meeting of the birds heads on either side is moulded with a rectangular shaped projection. Beneath each pair of parakeets is a palmette-shaped cartouche, which is flanked with triangular cartouches with two incurving sides. The spout is separated from the body by an incised border, both sides of the spout are engraved with a roundel. At the bottom of the spout is a projecting knob.
Beneath the epigraphic cartouche on either side is a tear-shaped cartouche.


The chamfered foot rises from a flat octagonal rim, supporting a low, incurving, slanting base. Each facet of the foot is engraved with triabgular panels enclosing foliate scrolls. A guilloche runs around the slanting, incurving base.
One small element of the now missing hinge remains.


Patina: uniform olive brown


Object details

Category
Object type
TitleOne-wick oil-lamp (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Cast and engraved brass
Brief description
Brass lamp with engraved decoration inlaid with black composition.
Physical description
The well is shaped like a bi-sected pear. It tapers to a small, pointed spout shaped like a lotus bud. The figures of two confronted birds (parakeets?) are engraved and inlaid either side of the broken-off ring handle. On both sides of the well cartouches enclose engraved epigraphic sections. The flat rim of the well is decorated with further epigraphic sections.
At the rear of the well is a square-ended projection where the ring handle was once attached. Either side of this are two triangular cartouches enclosing foliate scrolls.
The meeting of the birds heads on either side is moulded with a rectangular shaped projection. Beneath each pair of parakeets is a palmette-shaped cartouche, which is flanked with triangular cartouches with two incurving sides. The spout is separated from the body by an incised border, both sides of the spout are engraved with a roundel. At the bottom of the spout is a projecting knob.
Beneath the epigraphic cartouche on either side is a tear-shaped cartouche.


The chamfered foot rises from a flat octagonal rim, supporting a low, incurving, slanting base. Each facet of the foot is engraved with triabgular panels enclosing foliate scrolls. A guilloche runs around the slanting, incurving base.
One small element of the now missing hinge remains.


Patina: uniform olive brown
Dimensions
  • Height: 8.3cm
  • Length: 10.8cm
  • Of base diameter: 6.4 - 6.45cm
Style
Marks and inscriptions
(Persian; Kufic; On the flat rim; engraved)
Translation
With godliness! with godliness! with godliness! with godliness! with godliness! with godliness!
Gallery label
LAMP. Engraved brass. (Handle and cover wanting.) PERSIAN; 13th CENTURY. (W. Harding Smith Collection.)(Used until 10/2002)
Object history
Purchased for £4 4s as part of lot 361 at the sale of the W.Harding-Smith collection, Glendining & Co, May 1922
Subject depicted
Bibliographic reference
Melikian-Chirvani, A.S. Islamic Metalwork from the Iranian World, London:HMSO, 1982, p102-103, ISBN 0 11 290252 9
Collection
Accession number
M.68-1922

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Record createdMarch 12, 2003
Record URL
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