Bonhams 1793 : A massive Khorasan pierced Lampstand North East Persia, 12th Century

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24 Apr 2012 10:30 BST London, New Bond Street
Islamic and Indian Art
Back to auction 19960

A massive Khorasan pierced Lampstand
North East Persia, 12th Century

in three parts comprising a domed base with everted skirt extending to three tripod feet, rising in the centre to support the central columnar section with a large boss above and below, associated flat upper tray with raised rim, the domed base, the two bosses and the central column each with a central band of hexagonal strapwork containing palmettes against a pierced ground, bands of benedictory inscription above and below, each of the powerfully fashioned hoof feet flanked by stylised birds' heads, the tray with a delicate rope meander border, the majority covered with an even red patina
91cm. high

Estimate:

£100,000 - 150,000
€120,000 - 180,000
US$ 150,000 - 230,000

Footnotes

Provenance: Private UK Collection formed in the 1950s and 60s

This outstanding bronze lampstand bears many similar features to a smaller example sold at Christie's, Art of the Islamic and Indian Worlds, April 8, 2008, lot 80, and another at Sotheby's, Arts of the Islamic World, 24 October 2007, lot 98. This example bears similar lion feet to the other, and both make extensive use of pierced panels; here these are of a finer and more delicate design where each palmette enclosed within the hexagonal strapwork lattice is carved to make it slightly rounded. This common motif though the domed base and the three main elements of the shaft demonstrates clearly that all is part of the same original composition. The interweaving open strapwork on the body also bears strong similarities to a Khorasan brazier in the British Museum (Ward, Islamic Metalwork, London, 1993, p. 61, no 44, OA 1956.7-26.6).

Category: Islamic and Oriental Art / Islamic and Indian Art

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