Candlestick base of engraved brass with traces of former silver inlay; later cover to base
Maker
Mamluk (Egypt), 14th Century (metalworker)
1300-1399
1300-1399
Title
Candlestick base of engraved brass with traces of former silver inlay; later cover to base
Date of Production
1342
Medium
metalworked brass and silver inlay
Dimensions
Height: 17.5 cm
Diameter: 33.5 cm
Diameter: 33.5 cm
Accession Number
O.1966.GP.217
Mode of Acquisition
Gambier Parry, bequest, 1966
Credit
The Courtauld, London (Samuel Courtauld Trust)
Location
Not currently on display
Keywords
Label Text
The bold Arabic inscription, originally inlaid with silver, is in praise of the Mamluk Sultan Ahmad who reigned only one year in 1342. Mamluk candlesticks required large candles and were often cut down and adapted in Europe: this one was given a brass cover and probably turned upside down for use as a basin. The bold inscription, originally inlaid with silver, would have been just as decorative the wrong way up to someone who could not read Arabic.
Provenance
Purchased by Thomas Gambier Parry after 1875; by descent to Mark Gambier-Parry; Gambier-Parry Bequest 1966
Exhibition History
National Gallery (permanent display during closure), National Gallery, London, 14/09/2018-03/09/2021
Inscriptions
Inscription: inscription : inlaid : around side of base : in translation : 'Glory be to our lord the Sultan al-malik al-nasir Ahmad bin Sultan al-malik al-nasir Muhammad bin Sultan Qalawun'
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