Mosque Lamp for the Mausoleum of Amir Aydakin al-'Ala'i al-Bunduqdar
Unknown Artist
shortly after 1285
Medium
Glass; blown, folded foot, applied handles, enameled, and gilded
Dimensions
H. 10 3/8 in. (26.4 cm) Diam. of rim 8 1/4 in. (21 cm)
Classification
Glass
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917
Accession Number
17.190.985
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite mosque lamp, created shortly after 128 for the mausoleum of Amir Aydakin al-'Ala'i al-Bunduqdar, exemplifies the refined artistry of Mamluk Egypt and Syria. Such lamps were traditionally suspended in mosques and tombs, their glowing light symbolizing divine presence during prayers and commemorations. Crafted during a period of political stability under the Mamluk sultans, the piece reflects the era's prosperity and deep reverence for Islamic scholarship and architecture. The lamp's medium—blown glass with a folded foot, applied handles, and intricate enameling and gilding—highl...