Mamluk Mosque Lamp

Enamelled and gilded mosque lamps belong to a well-established group of glass vessels made in workshops of Syria and Egypt, both important centres of glass making during the Ayyubid and Mamluk period. This Mamluk mosque lamp has a globular body, a long-flared neck and a splayed foot. Six small loop handles are applied around its body. On the neck, two narrow horizontal bands with sketchy vegetal motifs outlined in red frame a broad band with red and white enamelled floral decoration on a blue background. It is intercepted by three circular medallions with a badge that usually refers to the donor. The body of the lamp shows another wide band containing a red outlined inscription on a blue background. The thuluth inscription reads: “العز لمولانا السلطان المالك العالم العادل (Glory to our Lord, the Sultan, the King, the Wise, the Wise, the Just)”. The underside of the body shows the same floral pattern than the decoration of the broad band on the neck. This mosque lamp probably belonged to a Cairene mosque as a donation from ruling sultans or high officers. Since no assignment is possible, the donor remains anonymous. The floral decoration of the mosque lamp, however, is very similar to other mosque lamps belonging to the Complex of Sultan Hassan.