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Source Description
Mosque lamps typically functioned as a lampshade, containing an oil lamp inside. Due to the opacity of this Ottoman lamp, it is likely that its primary function was not illumination. Instead, it would have been hung from chains in a mosque or mausoleum to add to the beauty of the space. This lamp is decorated with bright red carnations and blue hyacinths with additional floral and vegetal elements. The turquoise loops would have served for suspension from the ceiling. It is also possible that lamps like this were used as acoustic devices, softening the echo of prayer and discussion within the mosque’s halls.
Scholar Source Context
Document identity
localId
123771
label
Mosque Lamp
core
obj
dtoType
object
pageCount
1
Source metadata
id
123771
contentType
object
title
Mosque Lamp
description
Mosque lamps typically functioned as a lampshade, containing an oil lamp inside. Due to the opacity of this Ottoman lamp, it is likely that its primary function was not illumination. Instead, it would have been hung from chains in a mosque or mausoleum to add to the beauty of the space. This lamp is decorated with bright red carnations and blue hyacinths with additional floral and vegetal elements. The turquoise loops would have served for suspension from the ceiling. It is also possible that lamps like this were used as acoustic devices, softening the echo of prayer and discussion within the mosque’s halls.
date
1585–95
rights
CC0
rightsUri
CC0
language
en
wikidata
Q79901154
genreSpecific
Ceramic
imageCount
1
source
import
dimensionsRaw
Overall: 30.4 x 19.7 cm (11 15/16 x 7 3/4 in.); Diameter of rim: 19.7 cm (7 3/4 in.)
cul
Turkey, Iznik, Ottoman period (1299–1922)
accession
1944.287
Source extras
tec
Fritware with underglaze design
tombstone
Mosque Lamp, 1585–95. Turkey, Iznik, Ottoman period (1299–1922). Fritware with underglaze design; overall: 30.4 x 19.7 cm (11 15/16 x 7 3/4 in.); diameter of rim: 19.7 cm (7 3/4 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund, 1944.287
collection
Islamic Art
didYouKnow
Fritware is made of ground quartz, glass frit (partially fused glass), and a small proportion of fine white clay to approximate the light color and weight of Chinese porcelain.
citations
citation
Carter, Ben. <em>The Complete Guide to Low-Fire Glazes for Potters and Sculptors: Techniques, Recipes, and Inspiration for Low-Temperature Firing with Big Results.</em> Beverly, MA, USA: Quarry, 2024.
page_number
Reproduced: p. 20
creditline
Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund
updatedAt
2026-05-29 06:22:43.574000
sourceId
123771
dept
Islamic Art
coll
Islamic Art
med
Fritware with underglaze design
thumbnail_url
image_url
Single page context
seq
1
pageIndex
0
type
photo
mediaId
a80f553ecd1e0d26