Islamic Calligraphic Openwork Lantern

9th-10th century AD
A bronze lantern formed as a cube with four flared feet, openwork panels to the side walls, a balustered knop to each corner of the upper face, hinged bell-shaped openwork domed lid with knop handle; reserved calligraphic text to the upper face, incised text to the sides. 2 kg, 27cm (10 1/2"). Fair condition.
Provenance
Property of a London, UK, gentleman; formerly with Pars Gallery, London, W1, 1990s.
Literature
See von Gladiss, A. Glanz und Substanz. Metallarbeitung in der Sammlung des Museums für Islamische Kunst, Berlin, 2012, item 26 for similar design.
Footnotes
Lanterns of this type were usually made for mosques or the homes and palaces of the wealthy. The inscriptions usually comprise the name of the maker along with blessings for the safety and well being of the owner. This particular type of lantern was was popular in the Seljuk areas of Anatolia, Asia Minor, and were heavily influenced by Byzantine styles that were used as part of ecclesiastical furnishings, such as the silver gilt lantern now in the treasury of Saint Mark's, Venice.