Arts of the Islamic World and India

A large Khurasan bronze lampstand, Eastern Persia, 12th century

VAT reduced rate

Auction Closed

April 24, 03:45 PM GMT

Estimate

10,000 - 15,000 GBP

Lot Details

Description

consisting of three interlocking parts, including an openwork domed tripod base on zoomorphic legs, a vertical hexagonal shaft pierced with interlacing strap work and openwork globular bulbs at each end, surmounted by a flat tray incised with interwoven patterns

83.5cm.

Please note that there may be restrictions on the import of property of Iranian origin into the USA and some or all member countries of the Gulf Co-operation Council. Any buyers planning to import property of Iranian origin into any of these countries should satisfy themselves of the relevant import regime. Sotheby's will not assist buyers with the shipment of such items into the USA or the GCC. In addition, FedEx and US courier services will no longer carry Iranian-origin goods to any location. Any shipment services would need to be provided by a Fine Art shipping company.

Sotheby's, London, 24 October 2007, lot 100

The unique features that characterise medieval Persian lampstands owe their origins to ancient Byzantine prototypes. While earlier Islamic examples were of rather rudimentary craftsmanship, typically made of ceramic materials with sparse adornment (see E. Baer 1983, p.12), subsequent iterations such as the present specimen display the innovative spirit of Khurasani metal workshops. The present example's hexagonal central shaft, zoomorphic tripod base, and intricately perforated body are so many intrinsically Persian elements, which would remain in fashion in the Islamic world until the fourteenth century (ibid., p.17).

A closely similar example is in the Islamic Arts Museum, Malaysia (ed. Fong Peng Kuan, 2002, p.250).