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12th century bronze lamp stand on display

SHARJAH - An exquisite piece of art from Iran, dating back to the 12th century AD, will be on show for this month at the Sharjah Islamic Museum of the Sharjah Department of Culture and Information.

The bronze lamp stand, one of the pieces owned by the museum, is made in four sections with two parts held together by simple bayonet fittings. The winged and lobed base is engraved at the edge with calligraphic panels in the "kufic' script and the feet and wings with feline faces.

The top tray has a raised lip and a down turned sloping rim, which is engraved with small roundels and calligraphic panels in Kufic script. The top of the tray is inlaid at the centre with a copper roundel, engraved concentric circles and three panels of Kufic inscription alternating with small roundels.

The design of the lamp stand was popular in Iran from the 11th century AD onwards. A variety of models were produced during that period, particularly in Khorasan.

A number of well-established and other innovative decoration techniques were employed in these lamps such as inlays in copper and other metals and pierced open work, in addition to engraving. The stand would have held lamps or candlestick holders for people seated traditionally on the floor.