Lot 317
- 317
A Mamluk calligraphic brass candlestick, Egypt, 14th century
Estimate
10,000 - 15,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- Brass
base of waisted form leading to slightly reduced foot, cylindrical neck tapering to inverted mouth surmounting a short drip-pan, base section with a large band of thuluth calligraphy against a vegetal ground separated by two circular blazons, shoulder and neck with various vegetal designs, mouth with smaller band of calligraphy, interior with identification sticker
Provenance
Ex-collection Theron J. Damon, on loan to the Worcester Art Museum, Massachusetts, since 1940
Literature
L.A. Mayer, Saracenic Heraldry, reprint, Oxford, 1999, p.240 and pl.XXII, 1 and
2.
2.
Condition
In fair overall condition, slightly reduced at base, inlay missing, various knocks, bumps and abrasions, patination associated with age, 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
With the blazon of a cup in the central register
Around the neck:
‘One of what was made for the High authority, al-Sayfi (Sayf al-Din) Haji ? ‘Pilgrim’) the cup-bearer of [al-malik] al-Nasir (i.e Muhammad Ibn Qalawun)’
Around the body:
‘One of what was made for the High authority, al-Sayfi (Sayf al-Din) Turji ?, the cup-bearer of [al-Malik] al-Nasir (i.e Muhammad Ibn Qalawun)’
L.A. Mayer, who worked from photographs of the piece when it was in the collection of Mr. Theron Damon, Robert College Constantinople, describes Turji as: “S. Turji, one of the Mamluks of Muhammad b. Qalaun, originally his cup-bearer, later silahdar, elevated by him to the rank of an Amir Majlis. In 719 (1319) and 725 (1325) leader of the pilgrimage. Died on the 5th Rabi II 731 (16th January 1331” (Mayer 1999, p.240).
The word haji (pilgrim) indicates that the piece must date post-1319 or 1325 and before Turji's position was changed to Amir Majlis or Silah-Dar (no dates given by Mayer), when his blazon must have also changed.
With the blazon of a cup in the central register
Around the neck:
‘One of what was made for the High authority, al-Sayfi (Sayf al-Din) Haji ? ‘Pilgrim’) the cup-bearer of [al-malik] al-Nasir (i.e Muhammad Ibn Qalawun)’
Around the body:
‘One of what was made for the High authority, al-Sayfi (Sayf al-Din) Turji ?, the cup-bearer of [al-Malik] al-Nasir (i.e Muhammad Ibn Qalawun)’
L.A. Mayer, who worked from photographs of the piece when it was in the collection of Mr. Theron Damon, Robert College Constantinople, describes Turji as: “S. Turji, one of the Mamluks of Muhammad b. Qalaun, originally his cup-bearer, later silahdar, elevated by him to the rank of an Amir Majlis. In 719 (1319) and 725 (1325) leader of the pilgrimage. Died on the 5th Rabi II 731 (16th January 1331” (Mayer 1999, p.240).
The word haji (pilgrim) indicates that the piece must date post-1319 or 1325 and before Turji's position was changed to Amir Majlis or Silah-Dar (no dates given by Mayer), when his blazon must have also changed.