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one-wick oil-lamp (cheragh)

One-Wick Oil-Lamp
1180-1230 (cast)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The well is pear-shaped in section. It tapers to a small, pointed spout shaped like a lotus bud. At the back of the bowl is the stump of the sawn-off ring handle. The flat hinged lid fits into the bowl and the opening of the pouring lip. The lid is pierced with a small stake which acts as a simple handle. It is decorated with a guilloche that terminates in scrolls. The rectangular plaque at the end is engraved with a short epigraphic section.

The chamfered foot rises from a flat octagonal rim, supporting a low, slanting base. Each facet of the foot is engraved with triangular panels enclosing foliate scrolls and roundels enclosing palmettes. A guilloche runs around the slanting, incurving base, topped with an incised, scalloped fillet.

The well is engraved with epigraphic sections seperated by four animated scrolls and foliate catouches at the rear, either side of the now missing handle. The spout sides are engraved with foliate cartouches and seperated from the well by a band of guilloche on one side and a zig-zag design on the other.

Object details

Category
Object type
Titleone-wick oil-lamp (cheragh) (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Cast in three. Engraved decoration partly inlaid with copper and black composition.
Brief description
Brass lamp with engraved decoration inlaid with silver, copper and black composition.
Physical description
The well is pear-shaped in section. It tapers to a small, pointed spout shaped like a lotus bud. At the back of the bowl is the stump of the sawn-off ring handle. The flat hinged lid fits into the bowl and the opening of the pouring lip. The lid is pierced with a small stake which acts as a simple handle. It is decorated with a guilloche that terminates in scrolls. The rectangular plaque at the end is engraved with a short epigraphic section.

The chamfered foot rises from a flat octagonal rim, supporting a low, slanting base. Each facet of the foot is engraved with triangular panels enclosing foliate scrolls and roundels enclosing palmettes. A guilloche runs around the slanting, incurving base, topped with an incised, scalloped fillet.

The well is engraved with epigraphic sections seperated by four animated scrolls and foliate catouches at the rear, either side of the now missing handle. The spout sides are engraved with foliate cartouches and seperated from the well by a band of guilloche on one side and a zig-zag design on the other.
Dimensions
  • Height: 8.3cm
  • Length: 9.6cm
  • Of base diameter: 6.3 - 6.5cm
  • Weight: 0.25kg (nifill)
Style
Marks and inscriptions
  • (Persian; Kufic; On the lid; engraved)
    Translation
    With bliss and with divine grace
  • (Persian; kufic; At the end of the plaque)
    Translation
    With bliss
  • (Persian; thuluth; On the sides of the vessel)
    Translation
    Perpetually auspicious fate, rising good fortune
Gallery label
(Used until 10/2002)
LAMP.
Bronze (the handle wanting.)
13th CENTURY.
(W. Harding Smith Collection.)
Object history
Purchased as part of lot 361, sale of the W.Harding-Smith collection, Glendining & Co, May 1922.
Circular label on underside = W.H.S OM 12

Historical significance: Identical in shape to M 68 - 1922.

Closely resembles a lamp in the Ghanzi Museum
Bibliographic reference
Melikian-Chirvani, A.S. Islamic Metalwork from the Iranian World, London:HMSO, 1982, p103-104, ISBN 0 11 290252 9
Collection
Accession number
M.67-1922

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Record createdMarch 18, 2003
Record URL
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