Two bold bands of inscriptions dominate the decoration of this lamp. In the lower band there is a prayer for Sultan Baybars II (r.1309–1310), a member of the Mamluk dynasty, which ruled Egypt and Syria between 1250 and 1517. The words above describe the delights of paradise. Together, the inscriptions indicate that the lamp was made for the sultan’s tomb in Cairo.
Above: ‘The truly good will live in bliss. You will gaze at the look of bliss on their faces. They will be served a sealed nectar.’ (compare Qur’an, 83, verses 22, 24, 25)
Below: ‘Glory to our Lord the Sultan, al-Malik al-Muzaffar, the Wise, the Just, Rukn al-Dunya wa’l-Din – May God fortify his victories!’
Place of Origin
Egypt (probably, made)
Syria (possibly, made)
Date
1309-1310 (made)
Artist/maker
Unknown (production)
Materials and Techniques
Glass, enamelled and gilt
Marks and inscriptions
Above: 'The truly good will live in bliss. You will gaze at the look of bliss on their faces. They will be served a sealed nectar.' (Compare Qur'an, surah 83, verses 22, 24, 25)
Below: 'Glory to our Lord the Sultan, al-Malik al-Muzaffar, the Wise, the Just, Rukn al-Dunya wa'l-Din - May God fortify his victories!'
Dimensions
Height: 29.0 cm, Width: 25.4 cm maximum
Descriptive line
Lamp made for the tomb of the Mamluk sultan Baybars II in Cairo, Egypt or Syria, 1309-10.
Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)
Carboni, S., Whitehouse, D. Glass of the Sultans. Catalogue of the exhibition "Glass of the Sultans" held at The Corning Museum of Glass, Corning, New York, May 24th -Sept. 3rd, 2001; The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Oct. 2nd, 2001 -Jan. 13th, 2002; The Benaki Museum, Athens, Feb. 20th - May 15th, 2002. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2001. (Yale Univ. Press) Cat. 115, pp. 230-2
Lamm, Carl Johan. Mittelalterliche Gläser und Steinschnittarbeiten aus dem Nahen Osten. 2 vols. Forschungen zur islamischen Kunst, 5. Berlin, 1929-30. pl. 190:5
Schmoranz, Gustav. Altorientalische Glas-Gefässe . Vienna, 1898, pl. 24
Schmoranz (1898; pl.XXVI), Brooks (1975)
Greenhalgh, Paul Ed., Art Nouveau : 1890 - 1914. London: V&A Publications, 2000. 449 p., 7.3pl,
Ward, Rachel 'Mosque Lamps and Enamelled Glass: Getting the Dates Right' in Doris Behrens-Abouseif (ed.), The Arts of the Mamluks in Egypt and Syria- Evolution and Impact, (Bonn University Press, Goettingen), 2012. ISBN. 9783899719154
Exhibition History
Art Nouveau - 1890-1914 (Metropolitan Museum, Japan 21/04/2001-08/07/2001)
Art Nouveau - 1890-1914 (National Gallery of Art, Washington 08/10/2000-28/01/2001)
Art Nouveau - 1890-1914 (Victoria and Albert Museum 06/04/2000-30/07/2000)
Glass of the Sultans (Benaki Museum, Athens 20/02/2002-15/05/2002)
Glass of the Sultans (Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York 01/10/2001-10/01/2002)
Labels and date
Made for a building commissioned by Rukn al-Din Baybars II, Mamluk Sultan of Egypt (1309-10). [Old label]
Lamp of Sultan Baybars II
Egypt or Syria
1309-10
Two bold bands of inscriptions on this lamp give two types of information. The words in white in the upper band describe the delights of paradise. Those in blue in the lower band are a prayer for Sultan Baybars II, who ruled in 1309-10. Together, they indicate that the lamp was made for the sultan's tomb in Cairo.
Glass, gilded and enamelled
Museum no. 322-1900 [Jameel Gallery]
Categories
Islam; Glass; Religion; Africa; Lighting; Architectural fittings
Collection code
MES
