with incurving sides rising from a low vertical base, above a truncated conical neck with moulding at the base, terminating in a concave socket, engraved and inlaid with silver, the body with a frieze of three large roundels depicting figures on horseback hunting and hawking, with smaller roundels between depicting variously paired figures, musicians and a seated figure with legs crossed holding a cup, the interspaces filled with vegetal scrolls and inscriptions, the neck with a band of roundels containing birds of prey and inscriptions, above and below bands of chain motif, the socket with figural inscription and further cartouches with key pattern, the flattened rim of the drip pan engraved with Armenian inscription
20 cm. high; 20 cm. max. diam.

Footnotes

Inscriptions:
Around the rim in cursive, "Perpetual Glory and Prosperity and ...";
Around in the base in cursive: "Perpetual Glory and Prosperity and Wealth and Happiness and Well-being and Generosity and Ease and";
Around the neck and body in kufic, undeciphered;
In classical Armenian around the drip tray: "This candlestick is [dedicated] to the memory of Awetis laid at the door of Saint Karapet [Church] in the year 1077".

The date 1077 in the Great Armenian era corresponds to AD 1628.

The monastery of St Karapet or St John the Baptist is located in the western Armenian province of Erzeroum on Mount Sepouh. Dating to the 4th Century, one of the oldest monasteries in Armenia, it now survives only in ruins. It was one of the three most important sites for the Armenian Christian pilgrimage and was amongst the richest.

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A silver-inlaid cast brass Candlestick, with later Armenian inscription and date AH 1077/AD 1628 Anatolia or Jazira, 13th Century

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Matthew Thomas