AN AYYUBID BRONZE CANDLESTICK
Mosul, Iraq, 13th century

Characterized by its typical form, this candlestick is cast with a truncated conical body and a gently flaring flap shoulder, adorned with a calligraphic band of naskh script of benedictory inscriptions around the rim. Above this, engraved roundels depict quadrupeds surrounded by leafy tendrils, alternating with smaller circular cartouches filled with foliate designs. These are framed by concave leaf-tipped spears and larger cartouches featuring repeated images of hares, leading to narrow bands of braided interlacing and foliate patterns along a protruding edge, ascending to a tall cylindrical neck topped with a reverse-conical candle holder. The depiction of hares is commonly found in hunting roundels of metalwork from this era. This design originated in Mosul in the early 13th century. Although Mosul was officially under Zengid control for some of this period, it was actually a vassal to the Ayyubid Sultanate. The artisans from the region, commonly known as Al-Mawsili, developed a unique style that impacted metalwork throughout Syria, Mesopotamia, and eventually Egypt.

19.5cm x 15cm x 16.5cm

Condition: With its original neck and socket, uncleaned, visible patina. Overall very good condition.

For further references on the subject see: Makariou, S., l’Orient de Saladin: l’art des ayyoubides, Éditions Gallimard, 2001, pp. 140-41 cat. 114; Canby, S.R. et. al, Court and Cosmos: The Great Age of the Seljuqs, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2016, pp. 236–38.; Allan, J.W., Islamic Metalwork: the Nuhad Es-Said Collection, Sotheby Publications, 1982.

Provenance: Georges Antaki Collection.