- 129
A rare Safavid polychromed brass candlestick, Persia, late 16th Century
Estimate
30,000 - 40,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- brass and enamel
of cylindrical form supported on a splayed foot, the faceted shaft divided by raised mouldings into three registers, the narrow upper register with a band of nasta'liq between split-palmette borders, the two lower registers with palmette and split-palmette arabesques bordered by scrolls, a further band of nasta'liq to the foot, the decoration reserved on a ground of red, green and black pigment preserved in good condition
Condition
minor dents and bumps, original pigment well preserved, 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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
inscriptions
Around the neck and the base (repeated): A Persian quatrain by Katibi Turshizi.
Please see Melikian 1982, pp. 313-5 for pieces with the same quatrain, attribution and record of dated pieces.
It is rare to find a Safavid candlestick which retains so much of its original colour. A related, but smaller, example sold at Christie's, 25 April 2013, lot 120. An impressive ewer and basin, sold in these rooms 6 October 2010, lot 199, also retained traces of black and red composition. Souren Melikian, in his study of Iranian metalwork in the Victoria and Albert Museum, mentions that polychromy is "an early feature on middle Safavid bronze or brass ware" (Melikian-Chirvani 1982, p.267).
Around the neck and the base (repeated): A Persian quatrain by Katibi Turshizi.
Please see Melikian 1982, pp. 313-5 for pieces with the same quatrain, attribution and record of dated pieces.
It is rare to find a Safavid candlestick which retains so much of its original colour. A related, but smaller, example sold at Christie's, 25 April 2013, lot 120. An impressive ewer and basin, sold in these rooms 6 October 2010, lot 199, also retained traces of black and red composition. Souren Melikian, in his study of Iranian metalwork in the Victoria and Albert Museum, mentions that polychromy is "an early feature on middle Safavid bronze or brass ware" (Melikian-Chirvani 1982, p.267).