Copper candlestick with openwork and engraved decoration

The shape of this candlestick with a single holder goes back to the 12th century in the Islamic cultural sphere. From the 14th century, candlesticks like this were embellished in Egypt and Syria with large inscriptions inlaid in silver as their main decoration.

This piece belongs to a little group of Timurid candlesticks with openwork decoration. The copper was originally tinned, so that the surface had a silvery shine.

The cursive inscription reads, “To the owner: happiness, wellbeing, and life as long as the dove coos – eternal, endless, until the Day of Judgment.” Because openwork was most suitable for large, slightly coarser decorations, it was soon replaced by engraved surfaces for making everyday objects.