Bidspirit auction | A Monumental Pair of Seljuk

A Monumental Pair of Seljuk Bronze Openwork Oil Lamps, Islamic Persian - This impressive pair of Seljuk-period bronze lamps displays the exceptional metalworking skills of the medieval Islamic world. Each lamp is cast in bronze with a globular oil reservoir surmounted by a hinged finial in the form of a stylized human figure flanked by confronted animal or Horses heads, a motif frequently associated with Seljuk decorative art. The body is engraved with delicate scrolling arabesques and vegetal ornament, while the broad opposing wick-spouts project from the spherical reservoir, allowing the lamps to emit light in multiple directions. The finial lifts to reveal the filling aperture, and a circular suspension loop at the rear suggests the lamps could be carried or hung when required. The lamps are supported on elegant architectural bases of tapering pyramidal form, entirely executed in intricate openwork with dense interlacing vine scrolls that create a lace-like effect. Each base stands on four finely modeled feline-shaped feet, lending both stability and a lively sculptural quality. The combination of pierced decoration, engraved surfaces, and sculptural zoomorphic elements reflects the refined aesthetic characteristic of Seljuk bronze craftsmanship. Rich green and turquoise patination, developed naturally over centuries, enhances their visual appeal while attesting to their considerable age. As a rare surviving pair, these lamps represent both functional lighting devices and masterpieces of Islamic decorative art, embodying the Seljuk fascination with sophisticated geometry, vegetal ornament, and fantastical animal imagery. 35 cm H