217 FINE CHINESE, ISLAMIC & ASIAN ART
Lot 455
This beautiful cup is placed on a disc and shows an epigraphic decoration with medallions and blue-and-red enamelled arabesques. The inscription says, "Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The Parable of His Light is as if there were a Niche and within it a Lamp" (Quran, incomplete verse 24:35). The complete verse says, "Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The Parable of His Light is as if there were a Niche and within it a Lamp: the Lamp enclosed in Glass: the glass as it were a brilliant star: Lit from a blessed Tree, an Olive, neither of the east nor of the west, whose oil is well-nigh luminous, though fire scarce touched it: Light upon Light! Allah doth guide whom He will to His Light: Allah doth set forth Parables for men: and Allah doth know all things". This is the Surah An-Nur (The Light), which is often written on the lamps used in mosques: in fact, the connection between the light and Allah is obvious. Therefore, although the quote is incomplete on this lot, maybe for the lack of space, probably the original function of this cup was liturgic.
Measures: 9.00 x 17.00 cm
Starting price: € 10,00
Estimate: € 5.000,00 - 7.000,00
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