<em>Candlestick with Arabic Inscriptions in Thuluth, Naskh, and Kufic Scripts</em>, first half of the 14th century. Copper alloy, punched, engraved, and inlaid with silver, 11 3/4 in. (29.8 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Ernest Erickson Foundation, Inc., 86.227.197. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 86.227.197_PS2.jpg)

Candlestick with Arabic Inscriptions in Thuluth, Naskh, and Kufic Scripts, first half of the 14th century. Copper alloy, punched, engraved, and inlaid with silver, 11 3/4 in. (29.8 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Ernest Erickson Foundation, Inc., 86.227.197. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 86.227.197_PS2.jpg)

DOWNLOAD

Download our app and ask your own questions during your visit. Here are some that others have asked.

What is this?

This is a brass candlestick made during the Mamluk period in Egypt or Syria in the first half of the 14th century. It has inscriptions in three different Arabic scripts:

The largest band of writing, on the body of the base, is in Thuluth script. A smaller band in Naskh decorates the top rim, while the more angular Kufic script runs around the neck.

Calligraphy used as ornament is also a fundamental element of Islamic art. The Arabic inscription on the base of this candlestick reads, "Perpetual glory and prosperity and long life to you, O great master [of] long lived fame. Fame and glory and long life. Nobility everlasting."

I'm looking at what appears to be a large gold cover, it reminds me of a bell; what is it and what does it say?

This sounds like the Mamluk-period candle stick! It would have held a large candle in the socket at the top.

Wow! I never would have thought. Thank you.

The largest inscription, the one around the base translates to: "Perpetual glory and prosperity and long life to you, O great master [of] long lived fame. Fame and glory and long life. Nobility everlasting."

The inscription on the socket reads: "Glory and prosperity and and [sic] long life to you, O great master of long-lived fame."

Where is this from?

We believe it was made in either Egypt or Syria. Based on its inscription we know that this candlestick comes from the 14th century in the Mamluk sultanate.

At that time, the Mamluks controlled Egypt, the Syria-Palestine region, and much of Arabia. Major art production centers were in Egypt and Syria.

Thank you.

Candlestick with Arabic Inscriptions in Thuluth, Naskh, and Kufic Scripts

Arts of the Islamic World

On View: Arts of the Islamic World, 2nd floor

This candlestick bears lengthy Arabic inscriptions that offer good wishes for the fame and long life of the user. The inscriptions are in three styles of Arabic script: the largest band, on the body of the base, is in graceful Thuluth script. A smaller band in Naskh decorates the top rim, while the more angular Kufic script runs around the neck. All of these are embellished with floral elements, most of which were inlaid with silver. Such luxurious metalwares were popular in the aristocratic homes, palaces, and mosques of the Mamluk dynasty, which ruled Egypt and the Levant from 1250 to 1517.

The name Sahib ‘Ali ibn Ishaq is inscribed in very loose script, twice, near the top of the base: this was probably the name of a later owner of the piece, as the inscription is clearly not part of the original decoration.

MEDIUM Copper alloy, punched, engraved, and inlaid with silver

DATES first half of the 14th century

DYNASTY Mamluk

PERIOD Mamluk Period

DIMENSIONS 11 3/4 in. (29.8 cm) diameter: 11 in. (27.9 cm) (show scale)

INSCRIPTIONS The Arabic inscription on the base of this candlestick reads, "Perpetual glory and prosperity and long life to you, O great master [of] long lived fame. Fame and glory and long life. Nobility everlasting." An abbreviated inscription appears above on the candlestick's socket: "Glory and prosperity and and [sic] long life to you, O great master of long-lived fame."

COLLECTIONS Arts of the Islamic World

ACCESSION NUMBER 86.227.197

CREDIT LINE Gift of the Ernest Erickson Foundation, Inc.

PROVENANCE Prior to 1972, provenance not yet documented; before 1972, probably in the collection of Sahib ‘Ali ibn Ishaq; by 1972, acquired by Ernest Erickson of New York; December 16, 1986, gift of Ernest Erickson Foundation, Inc. to the Brooklyn Museum.

Provenance FAQ

EXHIBITIONS

Arts of the Islamic World

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is on view in Arts of the Islamic World, 2nd floor

CAPTION Candlestick with Arabic Inscriptions in Thuluth, Naskh, and Kufic Scripts, first half of the 14th century. Copper alloy, punched, engraved, and inlaid with silver, 11 3/4 in. (29.8 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Ernest Erickson Foundation, Inc., 86.227.197. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 86.227.197_PS2.jpg)

IMAGE overall, 86.227.197_PS2.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2009

"CUR" at the beginning of an image file name means that the image was created by a curatorial staff member. These study images may be digital point-and-shoot photographs, when we don\'t yet have high-quality studio photography, or they may be scans of older negatives, slides, or photographic prints, providing historical documentation of the object.

RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY

You may download and use Brooklyn Museum images of this three-dimensional work in accordance with a Creative Commons license. Fair use, as understood under the United States Copyright Act, may also apply. Please include caption information from this page and credit the Brooklyn Museum. If you need a high resolution file, please fill out our online application form (charges apply). For further information about copyright, we recommend resources at the United States Library of Congress, Cornell University, Copyright and Cultural Institutions: Guidelines for U.S. Libraries, Archives, and Museums, and Copyright Watch. For more information about the Museum's rights project, including how rights types are assigned, please see our blog posts on copyright. If you have any information regarding this work and rights to it, please contact copyright@brooklynmuseum.org.

RECORD COMPLETENESS

Not every record you will find here is complete. More information is available for some works than for others, and some entries have been updated more recently. Records are frequently reviewed and revised, and we welcome any additional information you might have.