ticketsMember | Make a donation

Candlestick with Figural Imagery

first half 14th century
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 455
This unusual nine‑sided candlestick is ornamented with figural scenes executed in an intricate inlay of precious metals, including silver and gold. Its decoration includes carefully drawn depictions of courtly pastimes—enthroned figures entertained by musicians and mounted riders playing polo or hunting.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Candlestick with Figural Imagery
  • Date: first half 14th century
  • Geography: Attributed to Iran or Iraq
  • Medium: Brass; cast, engraved, and inlaid with silver and black compound
  • Dimensions: Max. H. 9 5/16 in. (23.7 cm)
    Max. W. at base: 8 3/8 in. (21.2 cm)
    Diam. of bottom: 8 3/8 in. (21.2 cm)
  • Classification: Metal
  • Credit Line: Edward C. Moore Collection, Bequest of Edward C. Moore, 1891
  • Object Number: 91.1.580
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Ewer, Brass; raised, repoussé, inlaid with silver and a black compound
Ewer
ca. 1180–1210
Folio from a Qur'an Manuscript, Ink, gold, and watercolor on paper
Folio from a Qur'an Manuscript
dated 531 AH/1137 CE
Incense Burner of Amir Saif al-Dunya wa’l-Din ibn Muhammad al-Mawardi, Ja`far ibn Muhammad ibn `Ali, Bronze; cast, engraved, chased, pierced
Incense Burner of Amir Saif al-Dunya wa’l-Din ibn Muhammad al-Mawardi
Ja`far ibn Muhammad ibn `Ali
dated 577 AH/1181–82 CE
Folio from a Mu'nis al-ahrar fi daqa'iq al-ash'ar (The Free Man's Companion to the Subtleties of Poems) of Jajarmi, Muhammad ibn Badr al-Din Jajarmi Iranian, Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
Folio from a Mu'nis al-ahrar fi daqa'iq al-ash'ar (The Free Man's Companion to the Subtleties of Poems) of Jajarmi
Muhammad ibn Badr al-Din Jajarmi
dated 741 AH/1340–41 CE
Candlestick, Brass; inlaid with silver, gold, and black compound
Candlestick
late 13th–first half 14th century

Related Content

Publications

Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.