A Large Mamluk gold- and silver-inlaid brass candlestick, Syria or Egypt, early 14th century

the base of truncated conical form encircled by two pointed ridges, the projecting shoulder leading to a concave driptray, the cylindrical neck surmounted by a broad candleholder tapering to the mouth, decorated with bands of calligraphy and roundels of stylised lotus patterns and rosettes within scrolling foliate motifs

loss to silver inlay, areas of splitting to neck and mouth with associated repair, minor dents to mouth rim visible in catalogue illustration, areas of patination and rubbing, as viewed
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

inscriptions:

Round the rim:

al-maqarr al-'ali al-mawlawi  al-maliki al-amiri al-kabiri al-'alimi al-'adili  al-nasiri

'The High authority, the Lordly, the Possessing, the Great Amir, the Learned, the Just, [an officer of] al-Nasir'

Round the body:

al-maqarr al-karim  al-'ali al-mawlawi al-amiri al-kabir/i al-'alimi al-'alim al-'adili al-maliki al-nasiri

'The Honourable authority, the High, the Lordly, the Great Amir, the Learned, the Learned (sic.), the Just, [an officer of] al-Malik  al-Nasir'

The workmanship of this candlestick approaches the highest quality in what can be considered some of the most prestigious metalwork produced under Islamic rule. Both the shape and decoration are typical of fourteenth-century Mamluk candlesticks.

By the period of this candlestick, the figural compositions that had characterised earlier Mamluk metalware, such as the 'Baptistere de Saint-Louis' (Louvre, inv.no.LP16), had been replaced by a more austere taste for large calligraphic panels. The use of bold script, such as thuluth, meant that these designs acquired a monumentality and gravity which was appropriate for a form that was frequently donated as a pious bequest (waqf) to a mosque.

The decorative details on the candlestick include chinoiserie motifs, such as the lotus form, that had entered the artistic vocabulary
of the Mamluks by the early-14th century. This may have been through interaction with Ilkhanid works which naturally brought an influence of the senior khanate in China. Equally, trade along the sea routes via the Indian Ocean to the Far East brought the Mamluks into direct contact with Chinese works of art.

The title in the inscription al-maliki al-nasiri could refer to either
Sultan Hasan (1347-61) or Sultan al-Nasir Muhammad ibn Qala'un (1294-1340); the nature of the decoration on this piece suggests that it is more likely to date from the reign of the latter.

Comparative examples can be found in the Louvre (Paris 1977, p.82, no.101), in the Arab Museum, Cairo (Wiet 1932, no.3982) and a candlestick formerly in a private collection, which, though smaller, has similar oval cartouches and medallions around the base (Geneva 1985, p.278, no.288). A similar piece was sold through these rooms, 16 October 2002, Lot 52.