A monumental Khorasan pierced bronze lampstand

Persia, 12th Century

Footnotes

Provenance
Private UK collection formed in the 1950s and 60s.

Published
Arts from the Land of Timur, Sogdiana Books, 2012, no. 310, p. 151.

This outstanding bronze lampstand bears many similar features to a smaller example sold at Christie's, Art of the Islamic and Indian Worlds, 8 April 2008, lot 80, and another at Sotheby's, Arts of the Islamic World, 24 October 2007, lot 98. This example bears similar lion feet to the other, and both make extensive use of pierced panels; here these are of a finer and more delicate design where each palmette enclosed within the hexagonal strapwork lattice is carved to make it slightly rounded. The matching decoration on the domed base and the three main elements of the shaft demonstrates clearly that all is part of the same original composition. The interweaving open strapwork on the body also bears strong similarities to a Khorasan brazier in the British Museum, London (R. Ward, Islamic Metalwork, London, 1993, p. 61, no 44, OA 1956.7-26.6).

Important Notice to Buyers
Some countries, e.g., the US, prohibit or restrict the purchase by its citizens (wherever located) and/or the import of certain types of works of particular origins. As a convenience to buyers, Bonhams has marked with the symbol R all lots of Iranian (Persian) and Syrian origin. It is each buyer's responsibility to ensure that they do not bid on or import a lot in contravention of the sanctions or trade embargoes that apply to them.