Oil lamp, blue glass

Iran; 10th-11th century

H with knob: 11.3 cm

Inventory number 42/1967

This oil lamp belongs to a fairly rare type. It has same shape as the more common oil lamps that are hung: a foot, an almost spherical body, and a flared rim (see 14/1964). But instead of suspension rings on the sides to attach a hanging, this lamp has a handle so that it can be carried when it is not standing on its foot.

Two related lamps have been found in Mongolia in a Chinese tomb from 1018, helping scholars to date the type.

Published in

Kjeld von Folsach: Islamic art. The David Collection, Copenhagen 1990, cat.no. 228;
Kjeld von Folsach: Art from the World of Islam in The David Collection, Copenhagen 2001, cat.no. 330;

Glass

Bottle, colorless glass, with relief-cut decoration and a green and brown overlay

Cup, yellowish-green and aubergine-colored glass, partly blown in a mold

Bottle, brownish glass, partly blown in a mold, with applied thread decoration

Shard of colourless glass decorated with coloured enamel and gilding