Made up of twelve small interlinking circular candle-holders, surrounded by double facing birds, incised with decoration. 50 cm. diam. CATALOGUE NOTE Polycandela originated in classical times and were particularly common in the Byzantine world during the 6th and 7th centuries. They continued to to be manufactured in Spain, North Africa, Syria and Egypt during the Islamic period. However, in Persia they were not so popular and it is said that Persians actually preferred to have lampstands on the floor instead of ones that hung from the ceiling. The projecting birds's heads on the polycandelon may be a stamp of a maker's workshop. An almost identical bronze polycandelon is in the David Collection, (Kjeld von Folsach, Art from the World of Islam, Copenhagen, 2001, no. 475) and another in the Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore, (The Arts of Islam, Hayward Gallery, London,1976, no. 182). Condition Report Condition reports and high resolution pictures are available on our website at www.orientalartauctions.com If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at [email protected]