Candle Holder, 17th C CE

Brass and silver Candle Holder, 17th C CE, now in the collection of the Minneapolis Institute of Art. From its description on [artsmia.org](www.artsmia.org): *Of typical Safavid (1502-1722 CE) shape, this cylindrical, brass candlestick is embellished with geometric ground patterns, arabesques, and bands of poetic nasta'liq script in silver inlay. While the surface decoration of Safavid metalwork owes much to earlier Timurud (c. 1375-1500 CE) styles, the shape of this tall, cylindrical candlestick was a Safavid development. Candleholders of this size were commonly used in mosques. Although they produced functional objects, the technical virtuosity and refined aesthetics of the Persian metalworkers have transformed the most useful items into works of art.* More information [here](https://collections.artsmia.org/art/15048/candle-holder-iran)