Brass candlestick inlaid in silver with inscriptions and medallions, Egypt or Syria, 1260-1309.

Brass candlestick, inlaid in silver with inscriptions and medallions featuring animals and birds.

This densely ornamented candlestick features a bold inscription on the base naming the owner, one Rukn al-Din Muhammad ibn Qaratay al-Baghdadi, who was an official of either Sultan Baybars I (reigned 1260–77) or Baybars II (reigned 1309). This inscription is repeated in smaller letters around the candleholder proper. The rest of the candlestick is a riot of decoration, including groups of birds cavorting amidst floral motifs.

At some point in its history this candlestick passed to an Armenian owner, who had an inscription carved into the top: "This candlestick is in memory of Temar, valiant son of Mkrtic, who gave it to the Mother of God."

The patron was an official of either Sultan Baybars I (reigned 1260–77) or Baybars II (reigned 1309).

Inscriptions on the base and around the candle holder name the man who commissioned this candlestick. He was Rukn al-Din Muhammad, son of Qaratay, an official of either Sultan Baybars I (ruled 1260-77) or Baybars II (ruled 1309).

The presence of animals in the decoration suggests that this piece was made for domestic rather than religious use. It is in a distinctive style, characterised by inscriptions with large lettering surrounded by rich ornament. This style developed during the first century of Mamluk rule in Egypt and Syria (1250–1350), when the sultanate was at the height of its power.

M.716-1910