Images(12)

hanging lamp

Object NameHanging Lamp

Made FromGlass, Gilding, Enamel

Datepossibly about 1887; perhaps 1312-1326

Place Madeprobably France; possibly Syria

TechniqueBlown, applied, gilded, enameled

SizeOverall H (max): 24.9 cm, Diam (max): 24.6 cm

Accession Number63.3.25

Curatorial Area(s)

Not On View

Physical DescriptionHanging Lamp. Transparent deep blue; red, white, yellow, and green opaque enamels; gilding. Blown, rim finished at glory hole; handles applied; gilded and enameled. Hanging lamp: globular. Rim outsplayed with rounded lip; short cylindrical neck which splays at bottom; shoulder almost flat with rounded edge; wall descends to mid-point and then curves inward to bottom; base plain with shallow domed kick; large annular pontil scar with second pontil scar superimposed, both transparent deep blue; three equidistant, almost identical handles dropped onto wall above mid-point, drawn upward and inward, attached to edge of shoulder with excess glass pulled upward and outward and then drawn down over handle and with in two cases bottom of lower handle attachment pinched into semi-circular projection, while in third case additional bit of glass was applied and pinched. Elaborate and meticulously executed decoration outlined in red and gilded, unless specified otherwise. On underside of rim and upper part of neck: between upper and lower borders consisting of gilded band outlined in red, continuous vegetal scroll with flowers with four petals and bunches of fruits or berries, each flower with five green dots, one at center and one on each petal; below lower border, continuous band of interlace in which downward-pointing fleur-de-lis motifs alternate with small bell-shaped elements. On upper part of shoulder: three equidistant, identical roundels, each with, at center, blazon consisting of lozenge between two pairs of parallel horizontal lines, and with concentric band of interlace on white background; between each pair of roundels, nashki inscription. On edge of shoulder: continuous band of interlace in which fleur-de-lis motifs alternate with small bell-shaped elements, as on neck but inverted. On upper part of wall, between each pair of handles and with horizontal borders above and below, prominent white nashki inscription against background of arabesque with red, yellow and green details; below lower border of inscription and with border below it, continuous vegetal scroll with flowers with four petals and bunches of fruits or berries, each flower with five green dots, one at center and one on each petal, identical to scroll on outside of rim; below this, continuous band of elaborate arabesque. On lower part of body: three horizontal rows of twelve interlaced quatrefoils arranged in quincunx.
Provenance

Source Edward (Esteban) T. Safani (1912-1998) - 1963-01-14