A SAFAVID ENGRAVED BRASS TORCH STAND (MASH'AL)
Western Iran, late 16th - 17th century

Of cylindrical shape, resting on a circular splayed base, the faceted shaft rising to a gently tapering ringed neck ending in an everted circular rim, the exterior fully engraved, the decoration divided into three main clusters consisting of the faceted shaft in the centre with a grid of lobed medallions filled with floral stems and surrounded by stylised palmettes in the negative spaces; and around the cylindrical neck and base at the bottom rectangular cartouches of repeating nasta'liq epigraphic inscriptions quoting a passage from Sa'di's Bustan, the renowned dialogue between the moth and the flame, framed within decorative bands of heart-shaped palmettes and interlocking vegetal sprays, 33cm high.