string(20) "edanmdm:fsg_F1981.27" Candlestick decorated with astrological symbols - National Museum of Asian Art
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Candlestick decorated with astrological symbols

Detail of a pattern
Image 1 of 1
IIIF

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At A Glance

  • Period

    late 13th century

  • Geography

    Turkey

  • Material

    Brass or bronze, inlaid with silver and black filling

  • Dimension

    H x W x D: 20 x 19.7 x 19.7 cm (7 7/8 x 7 3/4 x 7 3/4 in)

  • Accession Number

    F1981.27

  • EDAN ID

    edanmdm:fsg_F1981.27

Object Details

  • Description

    Candlestick depicting six seated and four standing figures who hold various attributes related to the signs of the zodiac and the personifications of the planets.
    The following is the description of the decoration found on different components of the piece:
    Socket: A braided band appears on the flat surface of the lip. A thin band with diagonal lines is on the upper portion of the socket. The same two bands are repeated at the edge. The wide central portion contains an animated naskhi inscription with the alifs and lams terminating in human heads.
    Neck: Thin braided bands enclose a wide central portion containing a naskhi inscription broken by two roundels bearing birds.
    Shoulder: Though abraded, there is an inner inscription band written in kufic which repeats alifs and lams joined by lower letters, such as ains and possibly dals and kafs. This inner band is broken by four roundels with eight-petalled rosettes. The outer band is interupted by four geometric roundels and contains panels with naskhi inscriptions alternating with three four-legged animals running to the left.
    Base: The upper band has a continuous kufic inscription identical in style and format to that on the inner band of the shoulder. Below is a thin floral scroll.
    The widest portion of the base contains twelve medallions with two different floral scrolls alternating in the background. The interstices also show alternating use of a third type of floral scroll and a geometric motif.
    The following is a description of the medallions and the identification of the symbols, beginning with the disc with radiating rays. The signs of the zodiac, planets in whose domicilia these constellations reside, and the corresponding months are given in parenthesis:
    1. Disc with radiating rays (Leo, the sun, July).
    2. Seated figure with tablet (Virgo, Mercury, August). Mercury is symbolized by a scribe holding a writing tablet.
    3. Seated figure with balance (Libra, Venus, September). Libra is symbolized by a balance.
    4. Standing figure with two objects (Scorpio, Mars, October). The two objects may be scorpions which symbolize Scorpio.
    5. Standing figure with bow and sheaf (Sagittarius, Jupiter, November). The bow must symbolize the archer, that is, Sagittarius; hunting and the harvest are also associated with November.
    6. Seated figure with two objects (Capricorn, Saturn, December). Saturn is often represented as a man with a pickax, which may be the object held by the figure.
    7. Standing figure pulling bucket from a well (Aquarius, Saturn, July). Water-carrier or man with a bucket represents Aquarius.
    8. Seated figure with two fish (Pisces, Jupiter, February). Fish symbolizes Pisces.
    9. Seated figure with sword and shield (Aries, Mars, March). The warrior represents both Mars and March.
    10. Seated figure with lute (Taurus, Venus, April). The lute-player symbolizes Venus.
    11. Standing figure dancing or sowing (Gemini, Mercury, May). Sowing, reapting, and harvesting are often identified with Mercury.
    12. Disc enclosed by leaf or wing projection. Since the only combination left is Cancer, the moon and June, identified as a crab or a man holding up a crescent, this medallion, which has lost its inlay, may have represented a crescent in the central disc, enclosed by the craws of the crab.
    Below these twelve medallions is a band broken into five by six-petaled rosettes with three-four legged animals running to the left in each panel, identical to the ones on the outer band of the shoulder.
    The next band has the same kufic lettering seen on the upper portion of the base, but here the band is interrupted by five geometric roundels. The flaring foot is decorated with diagonal lines, repeating the design on the socket.

  • Inscriptions

    Inscribed on socket:
    Al-izz al-daim al-iqbal al-shamil wa'l-baqi al-amr al-iqbal.
    Perpetual glory, complete good fortune and everlasting command, good fortune.
    Extra alifs are added before "al-iqbal" and "al-bqqi" whereas the terminal lam on the second "al-iqbal" is missing. The phrase "everlasting command" is generally rendered as "al-amr al-baqi" and not in the reversed order seen here.
    Inscribed on neck:
    Al-izz al-daim al-iqbal al-shamil wa'l-baqi.
    Perpetual glory, complete good fortune and longevity.
    Once again extra alifs are added; they appear before and after "al-baqi."
    Shoulder: This section of the candlestick is badly abraded but the general design layout is clearly visible. There is an inner inscription band written in kufic which repeats alifs and lams joined by lower letters, such as ains and possibly dals and kafs.
    The outer band is interupted by four geometric roundels and contains panels with naskhi inscriptions alternating with three four-legged animals running to the left. The inscriptions are difficult to read but the few letters that are clear indicate that the wording follows the naskhi phrase found on the socket and neck.

  • Collection

    Freer Gallery of Art Collection

  • Exhibition History

    Arts of the Islamic World (May 3, 1998 to January 3, 2016)
    Islamic Metalwork in the Freer Gallery of Art (September 27, 1985 to November 17, 1986)

  • Origin

    Turkey

  • Credit Line

    Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment

  • Type

    Furniture and Furnishing

  • Restrictions and Rights

    Usage Conditions Apply

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