NARRATOR: This label is marked with an “R” – indicating a Reading stop. There’s a connection to poetry in these beautiful lamp stands.

MARYAM EKHTIAR: One of the features of these lamp stands are the inscriptions that are often mystical verses, about the lover and the beloved… And the beloved is God, in fact. So it's clearly a mystical message being conveyed here.

DENISE-MARIE TEECE: And so what I find so wonderful about these lamp stands is that the poetry that's incorporated into their decoration makes reference to light and candles.

MARYAM EKHTIAR: Which is actually the purpose of these. And in fact I'd like to read a few verses from the candlestick with the zigzag pattern in the case. The inscriptions are from the Bustan of Saadi.

DENISE-MARIE TEECE: I'll translate. (Original translation by Met Dept of Islamic Art)

MARYAM EKHTIAR: [Poem spoken in Persian]

DENISE-MARIE TEECE: “I remember one night as my eyes would not sleep, I heard a moth speaking with a candle.”

MARYAM EKHTIAR: [Poem spoken in Persian]

DENISE-MARIE TEECE: “Said the moth, ‘Because I am a lover, it is only right that I should burn. But why should you weep and burn yourself up?’ "

NARRATOR: To hear about the close connection between Persian poetry and the visual arts, press PLAY.