Indian 18th Century Islamic Bronze Flag

This exceptionally beautiful and rare silver-inlaid brass tray stand dates from the medieval period, when the Mamluks ruled Egypt and Syria (1250-1517). The Mamluks originated as slave-soldiers, who served the Muslim caliphs and Ottoman Empire. With time, the Mamluks became a powerful military caste, and they managed to take control and establish themselves as rulers of certain areas within the Abbasid caliphate. The Mamluk dynasty commissioned great works of art and architecture, particularly in Cairo, the capital city of Egypt, which was described in the 14th Century as ‘the centre of the universe and garden of the world’ (Ibn Khaldun, 1382). This tray stand is of biconical form, with a raised central band and flared base and rim. It is decorated with scrolling vines, overlaid with Thuluth inscriptions and roundels. On the lower body, the roundels contain floral motifs, and in the upper, stylised depictions of birds. The Thuluth inscriptions praise the patron, referring to him as ‘The High authority, the Lordly, the Possessor’, and ‘the learned’. The underside of the rim is engraved with a heraldic medallion, possibly the patron’s symbol. In the middle ages, when this piece was made, this item would have stood in a grand interior, supporting a tray full of fruit and fine food. The owner of this lavish piece which still bears traces of its original silver inlay would likely have been an Amir (prince) or some other important figure who was close to the Sultan in the Mamluk court. Mamluk tray...

Large antique Austrian cold-painted bronze figural lamp Austrian, c. 1910 Height 48cm, width 17cm, depth 17cm This early 20th century bronze lamp epitomises Austrian Orientalist de...

This fascinating piece dates from the 19th century in India, where it was used as a water base for a hookah, or shisha pipe. In traditional hookah smoking, the base of the pipe is no...

Large Viennese Orientalist lamp in cold-painted bronze Austrian, c. 1910 Height 44cm, width 18cm, depth 15cm This excellent antique bronze sculpture depicts a simple yet highly au...

A cast brass Finial from Turkey, mounted on a circular base. Measures: 18 1/4" High, 7" Wide, on 6 3/4" Diameter base.

Hanukkah lamp shaped like a palace, surmounted by Islamic crescent. Made in Laghouat, Algeria. The Hanukkah lamp is made of two parts: a pierced and engraved brass in the shape of ...

This 20th century South Asian oil lamp is made of brass in the shape of an aircraft. Oil lamps like these were likely handcrafted using the century old lost-wax process of metal cast...

Extremely fine antique 19th Century Islamic Floor candlestick in brass with Kufic Mamluk revival pierced foliate openworks chased and chiselled with calligraphy. Antique 19th century Middle Eastern Arabic candleholder. Measures: 46.5 inches Height x 14 inches bottom and diameter opening is 8 in. Rising from wide trumpet foot through to slightly tapering cylindrical shaft with two pronounced collars to gently flaring mouth and flat rim, the shaft with pierced openwork lattice containing scrolling vine issuing from cusped palmettes, bordered above and below by bands of engraved scrolling floral vine, the upper section of the foot and the body below the mouth with further pierced openwork sections in rectangular cusped cartouches with similar design set in a ground of engraved scrolling floral vine, interlocking palmettes and stylized cloud bands, band of verses. There is a top lid that is removable and could be used for candle or incense. This large floor candle holder...