The Cleveland Museum of Art
Collection Online as of April 19, 2024
Mosque Lamp
1585–95
(1299–1922)
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.)
Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund 1944.287
Location: 116 Islamic
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.- ?-1944(Heeramaneck Galleries, New York, NY, sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art)1944-The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
- Art of the Islamic World (Islamic art rotation). The Cleveland Museum of Art (organizer) (May 21, 2021-May 31, 2022).Gallery One 2012. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (December 12, 2012-March 5, 2017).
- {{cite web|title=Mosque Lamp|url=false|author=|year=1585–95|access-date=19 April 2024|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}
Source URL:
https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1944.287