Torch-Stand

Although manuscripts are most commonly considered the source for poetry, a corpus of inlaid metal torch-stands, many inscribed with poetic verses, does much to illuminate a genre of Persian-language writing that makes use of the metaphor of candles burning, melting, attracting moths or extinguishing to describe the relationship between God and a believer. Cleverly applied to objects intended to support candles or torches, the poetry gains potency in the context of these objects’ use. There a number of torch stands of this type that survive, seemingly becoming popular in the early 10th century AH/16th century CE. All are engraved with vegetal scrollwork, geometric patterns and calligraphy, or a combination of all three types of motifs.
In fact many similar torch stands were bequeathed to Sufi shrines, as a sign of devotion to a particular Sufi pir (master), and where visitors would be receptive to the symbolism of the poetry, often described as expressing a mystical interpretation of Islam.