Engraved Lamp Stand with a Cylindrical Body
This distinctive tall, cylindrical shape is characteristic of a group of Safavid lamp stands which share a similar silhouette and ornamentation. Many are covered with lyrical and mystical verses by celebrated poets of the period, reflecting the important relationship between Persian poetry and the visual arts.The rhythmic, scrolling vegetal arabesques serve as a background for the interspersed inscriptions in Persian nasta’liq script, which contain lines from the poem "The Moth and The Candle" by Sa’di:
"I remember a glance of your eye. I have heard that the moth said to the candle: I love you and if I shall be burned, so be it. My tears and burning give you pleasure. To holy men thy face is light and seeing thy face is my light. Like men of heart I see my light only when near thee. Thou art the aim of the world; without thee it is nothing."
This poem references the story of the moth and the flame, a sufi allegory in which the moth (the believer) is spellbound by the light of the beloved (God). According to the sufis, this may be understood as a spiritual metaphor in which the moth represents the human soul, drawn passionately to the divine light, longing to be reunited with God.
"I remember a glance of your eye. I have heard that the moth said to the candle: I love you and if I shall be burned, so be it. My tears and burning give you pleasure. To holy men thy face is light and seeing thy face is my light. Like men of heart I see my light only when near thee. Thou art the aim of the world; without thee it is nothing."
This poem references the story of the moth and the flame, a sufi allegory in which the moth (the believer) is spellbound by the light of the beloved (God). According to the sufis, this may be understood as a spiritual metaphor in which the moth represents the human soul, drawn passionately to the divine light, longing to be reunited with God.
Artwork Details
- Title: Engraved Lamp Stand with a Cylindrical Body
- Date: probably late 16th or early 17th century
- Geography: Attributed to Iran
- Medium: Brass; cast, engraved, and inlaid with black compound
- Dimensions: gH. 13 5/8 in. (34.6 cm)
Base Diam. 7 1/8 in. (18.1 cm)
Top Diam. 4 1/4 in. (10.8 cm) - Classification: Metal
- Credit Line: Edward C. Moore Collection, Bequest of Edward C. Moore, 1891
- Object Number: 91.1.579
- Curatorial Department: Islamic Art
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dated 986 AH/1578–79 CE
probably 16th century
7th century
probably late 17th century
late 14th–16th century
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