Arts of the Islamic World & India including Fine Rugs and Carpets

A rare monumental Safavid brass torchstand with cover, Persia, 16th century

VAT applies to hammer price and buyer's premium

Auction Closed

October 26, 12:30 PM GMT

Estimate

40,000 - 60,000 GBP

Lot Details

Description

of cylindrical form with a splayed base, the faceted shaft engraved with chevron bands filled with alternating bands of calligraphy and scrolling split-palmettes, the foot with major and minor bands of full and split-palmette scrolls, the neck with calligraphy and palmette borders, the domed cover engraved with further arabesque decoration, terminating in the form of two dragon-head finials, their scaled necks entwined and their mouths formed as candle sockets

65.8cm. height

This lot should have a dagger symbol in the printed catalogue. VAT will be charged at 20% on the hammer price, although in appropriate circumstances the VAT may be cancelled or refunded. Please refer to the printed catalogue for further VAT information. Please note that there may be restrictions on the import of property of Iranian origin into the USA and some or all member countries of the Gulf Co-operation Council. Any buyers planning to import property of Iranian origin into any of these countries should satisfy themselves of the relevant import regime. Replica Shoes 's will not assist buyers with the shipment of such items into the USA or the GCC. In addition, FedEx and US courier services will no longer carry Iranian-origin goods to any location. Any shipment services would need to be provided by a Replica Handbags shipping company.

inscriptions

couplets from different ghazals of Hafiz.

The arrangement of the engraved decorated comprising chevron bands alternating with inscriptions and arabesques is closely comparable to a smaller torchstand, dated 1578 in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (acc. no.29.53), standing at only half the height of this example.

Many candlesticks with this distinctive silhouette on a smaller scale have survived although it is rare for examples from this group to retain their upper cover and even more unusual to find the cover adorned with dragon-headed terminals. The paired dragons are more commonly associated with Timurid candlesticks with flared bases such as an example sold in these rooms, 6 October 2010, lot 188, and another in the David Collection, Copenhagen (inv. no.38/1982). A torchstand of comparably monumental scale, also retaining a dragon-headed cover, was sold at Christie’s London, 29 April 2003, lot 115.

For another Safavid brass torchstand, see lot 107 in the present sale.