Lot 55B
Central Asia, Persia, Khorasan, Medieval / Islamic period, ca. 10th to 12th century CE. An exquisite example of early Islamic metalwork, this leaded brass lamp screen from Khorasan displays a masterful fusion of geometry, vegetal ornamentation, and practical function. The globular form rests on a flared foot and is crowned with a wide mouth rim, now worn and chipped with age. The upper shoulder is incised with radiating flutes bordered by interlaced braids, while the lower body is densely pierced with a rhythmic pattern of arabesque scrolls and palmettes. The openwork decoration served both aesthetic and utilitarian purposes, filtering the glow of a flame within while casting lacy patterns of light onto surrounding surfaces. These pierced elements are framed within a series of medallions and bands, the delicacy of their execution made all the more remarkable by the object's robust material and functional use. Size: 9.1" Diameter x 6.2" H (23.1 cm x 15.7 cm)
Lamp screens like this were once part of oil lamps used in mosques, palaces, and private homes, suspended to diffuse and direct light during prayer or nightly gatherings. In Khorasan - a major center of Islamic artistic production during the Samanid and Ghaznavid periods - such items reflected not only the refinement of metalworking techniques but also the deep philosophical emphasis on light in Islamic thought.
Cf. Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1975.314.
Provenance: ex-T.F. Holy Lands collection, formed since the 1960s
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#195721
- Condition: Foot has been professionally repaired with areas of chipping and loss. Surface wear commensurate with age, but, otherwise, very nice with good detail, rich patina, and heavy earthen encrustations to interior.
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|---|---|---|
| $0 | $299 | $25 |
| $300 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $1,999 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $4,999 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $19,999 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $49,999 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $99,999 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $199,999 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 + | $20,000 |