Mamluk Mosque Lamp in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, May 2011

Title: Mosque lamp

Date: 14th century

Geography: Attributed to Egypt or Syria

Medium: Glass, colorless with brownish tinge; free blown; enameled with red, blue, white, yellow, and green; gilded; six loops for suspension and foot attached.

Dimensions: H. 11 1/16 in. (28.1 cm)
Max. Dia. 7 5/16 (18.6 cm)

Classification: Glass

Credit Line: Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917

Object Number: 17.190.992

Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

The technique of polychrome enameled glass emerged in the late 12th century, with centers in Syria, Egypt and Northern Mesopotamia. This type of mosque lamp, the somewhat unrefined decoration of which consists of the repetition of the word al-'alim ("the learned") and of the conventional peony design, probably represents objects produced in large number for the market rather than a specific commission. Nonetheless, the market value for enameled glass was certainly high and only affluent individuals could afford it.


Text from: www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/447007