- 124
A silver-inlaid cast brass candlestick, Anatolia or Jazira, 13th century, with classical Armenian inscription dated 1077 in the Great Armenian era (1628 AD)
Estimate
30,000 - 50,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- steel and silver
- 20cm. height19.6cm. max. diam.
bell-form with waisted sides, flattened shoulder and short cylindrical neck terminating in concave moulded socket, engraved and remnants of silver, the main field of decoration with three large roundels enclosing figures on horseback engaged in hunting and hawking activities, interspersed with smaller roundels showing paired figures, musicians and a figure seated cross-legged holding a cup, interstices filled with vegetal scrolls and narrow bands of calligraphy, the neck with birds of prey in medallion carouches with a broad inscriptive band between minor bands of chain pattern, the socket with an animated inscription and further cartouches enclosing key-fret pattern, the flat edge of the drip-pan engraved with a Classical Armenian inscription
Condition
In fair condition, most of original silver inlay missing (vestiges), the surface decoration rubbed, some dents in body, interior and underside with oxidisation, 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 top, in cursive: ‘Perpetual glory, prosperity and …’
Around the neck, in Kufic, possibly: ‘Perpetual glory …’
Around the base, in cursive: ‘Perpetual glory and prosperity and wealth and health and well-being and generosity (?) and ease and’
Around the base, in Kufic, repeat of: ‘Perpetual glory, prosperity… perpetual glory, happiness (?)’
The most unique feature is the Classical Armenian inscription around the edge of the drip-pan:
Յ[Ի]Շ[ԱՏԱ]Կ Է ՇԱՄԱՏԱՆՍ ԱՒԵՏԻՍԻՆ Ի Դ[ՈՒՌ]Ն Ս[ՈՒՐ]Բ ԿԱՐԱՊԵՏԻՆ ԹՎ[ԻՆ] ՌՉԷ
Yishatak e shamatans Awetisin i dourn Sourb Karapetin thvin RCE (1077)
'This candlestick is to the memory of Awetis laid at the door of Saint Karapet [Church] in the year 1077'
The dating in the Great Armenian era is 1077, with the added differential of +551 = 1628 AD.
The Monastery of St. Karapet [Saint John the fore-runner] is situated in Western Armenia in the province of Erzeroum, on Mount Sepouh. The term sham [atans] from the Arabic samm meaning 'to smell', 'to let out incense' is also used in Armenian for 'candle'.
Around the top, in cursive: ‘Perpetual glory, prosperity and …’
Around the neck, in Kufic, possibly: ‘Perpetual glory …’
Around the base, in cursive: ‘Perpetual glory and prosperity and wealth and health and well-being and generosity (?) and ease and’
Around the base, in Kufic, repeat of: ‘Perpetual glory, prosperity… perpetual glory, happiness (?)’
The most unique feature is the Classical Armenian inscription around the edge of the drip-pan:
Յ[Ի]Շ[ԱՏԱ]Կ Է ՇԱՄԱՏԱՆՍ ԱՒԵՏԻՍԻՆ Ի Դ[ՈՒՌ]Ն Ս[ՈՒՐ]Բ ԿԱՐԱՊԵՏԻՆ ԹՎ[ԻՆ] ՌՉԷ
Yishatak e shamatans Awetisin i dourn Sourb Karapetin thvin RCE (1077)
'This candlestick is to the memory of Awetis laid at the door of Saint Karapet [Church] in the year 1077'
The dating in the Great Armenian era is 1077, with the added differential of +551 = 1628 AD.
The Monastery of St. Karapet [Saint John the fore-runner] is situated in Western Armenia in the province of Erzeroum, on Mount Sepouh. The term sham [atans] from the Arabic samm meaning 'to smell', 'to let out incense' is also used in Armenian for 'candle'.