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Engraved Lamp Stand with Interlocking Circles

probably 16th century
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 462
The verses inscribed around this lamp stand embody spiritual metaphors comparing the beloved to a candle and the lover to a moth attracted to its light. The verse by an unidentified poet encircling the middle portion of the stand reads:

I said to the candle: "What is this moth around your face?"

It said: "I am the sultan of beauty—what is the desire of the moth?"

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Engraved Lamp Stand with Interlocking Circles
  • Date: probably 16th century
  • Geography: Attributed to Iran
  • Medium: Brass; cast, engraved, and inlaid with black compound
  • Dimensions: H. 11 7/8 in. (30.1 cm)
    Diam. of base: 7 1/4 in. (18.4 cm)
    Diam. of rim: 4 in. (10.2 cm)
  • Classification: Metal
  • Credit Line: Gift of Joseph W. Drexel, 1889
  • Object Number: 89.2.197
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

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Engraved Lamp Stand with Chevron Pattern, Brass; cast, engraved, and inlaid with black and red pigment
Engraved Lamp Stand with Chevron Pattern
dated 986 AH/1578–79 CE
Kitab suwar al-kawakib al-thabita (Book of the Images of the Fixed Stars) of al-Sufi, `Abd al-Rahman al-Sufi Iranian, Ink and gold on paper; leather binding
Kitab suwar al-kawakib al-thabita (Book of the Images of the Fixed Stars) of al-Sufi
`Abd al-Rahman al-Sufi
late 15th century
"The Feast of Sada", Folio 22v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp, Abu'l Qasim Firdausi Iranian, Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold on paper
"The Feast of Sada", Folio 22v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp
Abu'l Qasim Firdausi
Sultan Muhammad
ca. 1525
"Isfandiyar's Third Course: He Slays a Dragon", Folio 434v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp, Abu'l Qasim Firdausi Iranian, Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold on paper
"Isfandiyar's Third Course: He Slays a Dragon", Folio 434v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp
Abu'l Qasim Firdausi
Qasim ibn 'Ali
ca. 1530
Engraved Lamp Stand with Cartouches and Medallions, Brass; cast, engraved, and inlaid with black compound
Engraved Lamp Stand with Cartouches and Medallions
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