Lamp in form of a bird

Lamps are an excellent example of the way in which basic metalwork forms continued from the pre-Islamic into the Islamic periods, with only gradual changes over the centuries to bring these forms more into line with the emerging Islamic taste. The form of the lamp stand (1) dates back to Roman times and was spread throughout the Mediterranean region. This form continued into the Islamic era and was popular all over the Islamic world. The lamp and stand combination (2) is 5-6 centuries later than (1), but the basic shape is still the same. Elements of the new Islamic style can be seen in the generalised shape of the feet, as opposed to the realistic animal paws of the earlier stand; the more pronounced indentations of the base; and the faceted baluster shapes of the shaft.

Likewise, the lamp portion of (1), which detaches from the stand, can be compared to (3), which is again 5-6 centuries later. The later lamp comes from Khurasan and has a type of base not seen in earlier lamps. Its body and handle, though, are clearly descended from Roman and Byzantine prototypes. By this time, the Byzantine cross has been transformed into an Islamic split palmette.

The bird-shaped lamp (4) has a very Islamic appearance, with its openwork braids and symmetrical incised decoration, but this shape can also be traced back to Byzantine prototypes. This particular example, which like (3) comes from Khurasan, also shows that Islamic metalwork was influenced by traditions found further to the east. The turquoise inlay of the eye (originally in both eyes) is an inheritance from Buddhist metalworking traditions in Kashmir, not far from the eastern boundary of the Islamic world. The Kashmiri metalworkers produced large amounts of Buddhist figural sculpture with inlaid turquoise or turquoise-colored glass paste for the eyes.
Notes from the Glory and Prosperity exhibition, Feb - June 2002.