A FINE MASSIVE SAFAVID ENGRAVED BRASS TORCHSTAND of slightly tapering columnar form rising from a spreading base, the rim with everted lip, divided into five registers by raised horizontal bands, the central register with a band of lozenges engraved with interlaced arabesques between zigzag bands and triangular panels similarly engraved, the registers above and below with spiralling narrow flutes dividing similarly narrow flowering vine bands, the lowest register spreading onto the foot with a variety of engraved bands and cartouches, the upper register with a central band of nasta'liq inscription cartouches divided by plain quatrefoils, one of these with the signature of the maker, bands above and below of floral meander, overlaid at one point by the elegant original owner's inscription, late 16th century (traces of original composition infill remaining, original handles now missing at each side, negligible damage to base)

细节

A FINE MASSIVE SAFAVID ENGRAVED BRASS TORCHSTAND of slightly tapering columnar form rising from a spreading base, the rim with everted lip, divided into five registers by raised horizontal bands, the central register with a band of lozenges engraved with interlaced arabesques between zigzag bands and triangular panels similarly engraved, the registers above and below with spiralling narrow flutes dividing similarly narrow flowering vine bands, the lowest register spreading onto the foot with a variety of engraved bands and cartouches, the upper register with a central band of nasta'liq inscription cartouches divided by plain quatrefoils, one of these with the signature of the maker, bands above and below of floral meander, overlaid at one point by the elegant original owner's inscription, late 16th century (traces of original composition infill remaining, original handles now missing at each side, negligible damage to base)
33 5/8in. (85.5cm.) high

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END OF AFTERNOON SESSION

The Carpet Session will commence on
THRUSDAY 27 APRIL
AT 2.00 P.M.

拍品专文

The upper register is inscribed in nasta'liq with two distichs from a Persian poem by Katibi Torshizi, a Khorassani poet of the 15th century. These verses are also inscribed on a torchstand in the Victoria and Albert Museum, (Melikian-Chirvani, A.S.: Islamic Metalwork from the Iranian World, London, 1982, no.141, p.315). Melikian also notes that the same poems are found on two dated torch stands in the Hermitage (1579-80) and in the Louvre (1587-8).

A torchstand using the unusual spiral decoration seen on the second and fourth registers here, and of only slightly smaller size, was exhibited in Geneva (Treasures of Islam, London, 1985, no.299, p.289)