Candlestick

This is a mortar-shaped, broad-based candlestick with a flat bottom, a lightly tapering cylindrical body, a somewhat flattened capital, and a thin stem. On the base there are four large medallions connected by cartouches , while the cartouches themselvesare also connected by sunbursts. The largish medallions are divided up like stars and are filled with interleaving vegetative designs. The cartouches in between are filled with inscriptions, sunbursts, and figures seated cross-legged. The ground is filled with meandr and vegetative motifs. The primary decoration is surrounded by a thin band in which animal figures chasing one another are arranged with hexagonal medallions between them. The capital is divided into eight medallions which are filled with seated figures each one of which is shown in a different aspect of motion. Around the edge of the capital whose ground is filled with an intertwining vegetative pattern run medallions and inscriptions in the nesih style. On the stem there are the same human figures, while the socket contains interlocking medallions and more inscriptions. The designs are enchased on and been enriched with silver inlay, while the intervening medallions are inlaid with gold.Reference: Bodur, F., Türk Maden Sanatı, The Art of Turkish Metal Working, Türk Kültürüne Hizmet Vakfı Sanat Yayınları:2, İstanbul 1987, pp.106, 190.