Mosque Lamp for the Mausoleum of Amir Aydakin al-'Ala'i al-Bunduqdar

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 454

This lamp’s inscriptions reveal that it was ordered for Aydakin’s mausoleum (turba), a building still standing in Cairo. Mamluk amirs adopted emblems, often connected with their ceremonial roles at court, which decorated the objects and buildings they commissioned. Here, the motif of two gold crossbows against a red shield illustrates the office of bunduqdar (bow‑keeper).

Mosque Lamp for the Mausoleum of Amir Aydakin al-'Ala'i al-Bunduqdar, Glass; blown, folded foot, applied handles, enameled, and gilded

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