A RARE MAMLUK VENETO SARACENIC ENGRAVED BRASS CANDLESTICK
Egypt or Syria, 15-16th century

A small brass candlestick, featuring an engraved bell-shaped base and flared foot, adorned with intricate designs of vegetal scrolls, palmettes, floral patterns and arabesques. It includes two unmarked coat of arms, indicating that it was intentionally left blank for a future owner to add their emblem. Sitting above the base is a flat, scalloped disc meant to catch dripping wax. Rising from the center is a long cylindrical stem that tapers toward the top, creating a hollow opening to hold the candle. Both the disc and stem are richly decorated with floral and vegetal motifs.

Veneto-Saracenic ware was crafted between the 14th and 16th centuries, blending Middle Eastern craftsmanship with European stylistic elements. While it was initially thought to have originated from Muslim workshops in Venice, it is now recognized that these pieces were produced in Egypt and Syria.

19.2cm x 9cm

For further reference on the subject see: Ward, R., and La Niece, S., Veneto-Saracenic Metalwork: An Analysis of the Bowls and Incense Burners in the British Museum. In Trade and Discovery: The Scientific Study of Artefacts from Post-Medieval Europe and Beyond, edited by Duncan R. Hook and David R. M. Gaimster, Occasional Paper 109. London: British Museum Press, 1995.