Artwork Page for Mosque Lamp

Details / Information for Mosque Lamp

Mosque Lamp

1585–95

Turkey, Iznik, Ottoman period

(1299–1922)
Medium
Fritware with underglaze design
Measurements
Overall: 30.4 x 19.7 cm (11 15/16 x 7 3/4 in.); Diameter of rim: 19.7 cm (7 3/4 in.)
Credit Line
Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund 1944.287
Public Domain
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Location
116 Islamic
Print
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Did You Know?

Fritware is made of ground quartz, glass frit (partially fused glass), and a small proportion of fine white clay to approximate the light color and weight of Chinese porcelain.

Description

Mosque lamps typically functioned as a lampshade, containing an oil lamp inside. Due to the opacity of this Ottoman lamp, it is likely that its primary function was not illumination. Instead, it would have been hung from chains in a mosque or mausoleum to add to the beauty of the space. This lamp is decorated with bright red carnations and blue hyacinths with additional floral and vegetal elements. The turquoise loops would have served for suspension from the ceiling. It is also possible that lamps like this were used as acoustic devices, softening the echo of prayer and discussion within the mosque’s halls.
A floral-patterned ceramic vessel with a bulbous body narrows into a flared neck. Two turquoise loop handles attach at the shoulders. Large red carnations with blue centers sprout from blue bowls, surrounded by stems of blue hyacinths. This floral motif repeats on the neck at a smaller scale. An interlocking orange and white geometric band encircles the shoulder, while the white background highlights the vibrant palette of red, blue, and turquoise.

Mosque Lamp

1585–95

Turkey, Iznik, Ottoman period (1299–1922)

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