Mosque lamp

Fine mosque lamps are oil lamps that typically have a large round body and a narrower neck that flares towards the top.^[1] They were often made with internal containers to be filled with oil and a wick to produce light.^[1] They were usually made of enamelled glass, often with gilding.^[2] Some were also made in Islamic pottery, though this was much less efficient for actual lighting. These lamps were normally hung by a circular metal frame and suspended by chains that went through a number of loops on the outside of the body. The circular frames continue to be used in many mosques today, but with plain or frosted glass lamps for electric lighting.

Egyptian enamelled glass mosque lamp made for Amir Qawsun, c. 1329–1335

The later plain type hanging in Istanbul

Manufacture

The techniques used are typical of contemporary Islamic glass, with the enamel decoration applied to a pre-fired plain body, and the whole then fired for a second time. The vibrant colors present from the enameling process of mosque lamps come from a variety of materials including lapis lazuli for blue, naples yellow for yellow, naples yellow and cobalt for blue, and lead-based enamels for red and yellow colors.^[3] The coloured decoration may include Qur'anic verses, especially the first part of the Ayat an-Nur or "Verse of Light" (24:35, see below), inscriptions and heraldic emblems recording the donor, as well as purely decorative motifs.^[2] By the 15th century production of all types of fine glass was in steep decline, a sign of which is that in 1569 the Ottoman Grand Vizier Sokullu Mehmed Pacha ordered 600 plain lamps of Venetian glass, perhaps to be decorated elsewhere.^[4]

The Ottomans also made lamps of similar form in Iznik pottery, and Shah Abbas I of Persia gave plain silver lamps to hang by the tomb of Shaykh Safi at Ardabil; Persian miniatures show other examples from the 16th century in gold or brass and silver. Such opaque materials were much less effective as lighting, but the purpose of the lamp was symbolic as well as practical, related to the "Verse of Light".^[5] Mosque lamps are often shown in profile at the head of a prayer rug for the same reason.^[6] The decoration of the lamps often includes either the name or the symbol from Islamic heraldry of the donor, who usually gave a group of lamps.^[7] Other types of lighting in mosques were large metal lamp stands, like very wide candlesticks, which were also used in secular buildings. These could be very intricately decorated.^[8]

History

Modern electric lighting in Amman

Oil lamps were introduced gradually into mosques and took time until they became common, which was around the end of the 7th century and the beginning of the 8th century.^[9] They survive in considerable numbers from the Middle Ages, especially the 13th and 14th centuries, with Cairo in Egypt and Aleppo and Damascus in Syria being the most important centers of production.^[10]

The story behind the original first mosque lamp goes back to a hadith about the early days of the prophet Muhammed(swa), where this method of artificial light was introduced by a passing Syrian merchant. The Syrian merchant had come along on his trip to visit the prophet's house and brought a lamp with kindil (oil) and wick. He has brought this into the prophet mosque in Medina, where this lamp had started to irradiate the room, appealing to the prophet, establishing a new world practice.^[11]

The elaborate decorated types were mostly succeeded by plain glass oil lamps with a simple rim at the top, by which they were attached to (typically) a circular metal bar. Often these hang in tiers. Mosques today have shifted to a more cost efficient, energy saving method of lighting by converting mosque lamps to electric lighting techniques. In most cases Mosques will retain the hanging circular fittings, but use electric lights and glass shades of various sorts, not essentially different from other glass lampshades used in lighting other buildings. Some cases, such as the Ar-Rahmaniah Mosque at Kampung Pengkalan Baharu have also incorporated energy saving techniques such as solar panels to power mosque lighting.^[12]

Collecting

İznik pottery lamp with lotuses c. 1510, similar to four lamps that hung in the mausoleum of Bayezid II in Istanbul

In 2000, three 14th-century Mamluk mosque lamps in pristine condition from the collection of Bethsabée de Rothschild sold at Christie's in London for £1,763,750 (US$2,582K), £993,750 (US$1,455K) and £641,750 (US$937K).^[13] Other mosque lamp collections are held at the Louvre museum in Paris and the Cairo Museum of Islamic Art.^[14] In the second half of the 19th century, a number of forgeries, or expensive glass ornaments in the style of Mamluk lamps were produced in France and Italy.^[15]

Religious meaning and use

Light is often an important symbol in many religious texts, including the Qur'an.^[9] Darkness to light is often interpreted as a transformation from un-enlightenment to enlightenment under the light which is often considered to be Allah.^[9] Light can often be seen as or used in a way to become closer to God and this can be connected to the many lamps in mosques.^[16]

Qur'an 24:35:[17]

:God 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! God doth guide whom He will to His Light

God doth set forth Parables for men: and God doth know all things.

At times mosque lamps were used in rituals during Ramadan. In one such ritual, the flame of the lamp would be extinguished to signal to people that prayer was about to start.^[9] In big mosques it was common to see thousands of lamps being used to illuminate the space.^[18]

Sister Hagaddah, 14th-century Spain

A miniature in the Sister Hagaddah, produced in 14th-century Spain and now in the British Library, showing a service in a synagogue has lamps with the same form as Islamic ones.

Mosque Lamp Motif

Mosque Lamps have evolved and traveled through many regions depending on the culture and the environment they are surrounded by. Some of the Mosque Lamps have attracted awe of something different. Though there aren’t many surviving mosque lamps from previous centuries, there are a couple examples of Mosque Lamp artwork that have survived today with their own distinction.^[19]

During the Mamluk period (1250-1517), the majority of the mosque lamps were created in Egypt and Syria.^[20] The craftsman distinction for these mosque lamps can be recognized by the enamel-painting, and the gilding techniques highlight the typical colorwave of rich blue, red and gold accents on colorless glass. Additionally, on the lamp would be thuluth style Kufic.^[21] There are some variation of these lamps, from proportion sizes of length, width and sizes, but they typically also have a flared neck, characteristic of the maps can include some variation of proportion sizes, from the length of the glass, wide body and handles(typically six) for it to be held up by chains.^[22][23][24]

During this period, Mosque lamps detailing and design were heavily influenced through patronage in the regions. Many of the lamps were commissioned for prominent mosques and mausoleums in Cairo, not only to show power, but as a symbol of authority, honour, and political strength in the environment. On the lamp, there would be inclusion of the commissioner name in Arabic, as well as the Qur’anic Surat al-Nur one line verse of light.^[25] Some examples of these are below:

^[26]Mosque Lamp with the phrase al'alim (The Wise)Mosque Lamp with a repeated phrase of al'alim (The Wise), 14th century, located in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, created in either Egypt or Syria

• Mosque Lamp for the Mausoleum of Amir Ayadakin al-’Ala’i al-Bunduqdar.^[27] A lamp commissioned for Amir Ayadakin al-’Ala’i al-Bunduqdar to display his high court status as “Keeper of Bow^[28]”
• Mosque Lamp  commissioned by Great Amir Saf al-Din Shaykhu al-Umari. This was one of the twenty commissioned to depict his decorative exhibit with six medallions.^[29]
• Mosque Lamp of Amir Qawsun, commissioned for either a mosque or a tomb.^[30]
• Mosque Lamp with the phrase al'alim^[31] (The Wise)

As going to another centuries down, the 16th centuries, the Ottoman mosque lamps have compiled a different artistic take. For their mosque lamps, their common theme would be repeated patterns, with emphasis on floral ornament motif of carnation and tulips on top of a white base.^[32] With  muted colors ranging from the blue, green, turquoise and red, with a softer opacity quality to the glass. Additionally many of mosque lamp creation sites where in Iznik, who were heavily influenced by the chinese artwork, especially the wanting to imitate the porcelain, causing the mosque lamps material to be fritzware with an underglazing painting. Lately, when there were any Kufic for these lamps, it was typically in the style of thuluth and Naskh.^[33] Some examples of these artwork are listed below:

^[34]Ottoman Mosque Lamp, created in Turkey, Iznik, around the 16th centuryOttoman Mosque Lamp, created around the 16th century in Turkey, Iznik, located in the Metropolitan Museum of Art

• 

  shows shadows light and dark in architecture

  The Mosque Lamp was created around 1585-95, with floral arrangement from carnations and blue hyacinths.^[35]
• Mosque Lamp Located at the Museum of Islamic Art at the Pergamon Museum.^[36]
• Mosque Lamp made for the Renovation of the Dome of the Roc 1549 located at the British Museum^[37]
• Mosque Lamp located in the Met Museum, with the typical vibrant colors theme^[38]

Light in Islamic Architecture

Light in Islamic architecture represents the symbol of the divine-it is a holy symbol. Through the designs of humans featured by Mosques and the decorations that fill these buildings, referencing mosque lamps. Transforms Mosques, creating an experience that is beautiful and spiritual. Light transforms mosques, highlighting the symbol of the divine, and architecture complements this idea in the meaning of light and how it can transform a space. ^[39]

Light helps us understand information through visuals, allowing us to improve our quality of sight. Additionally, one can transform a whole experience around the dimensions of light, which is a significant influence. Light is a cross-cultural symbol, being seen as a positive image through the symbol of the divine, changing experiences in holy places. An example of this is lighting a candle for a loved one in a Catholic church, which I used to do as a child, or the different aspects of light in a mosque that transform the experience for the viewer when in a place of worship. “Allah is the source of the light of the heavens and the earth! An example of His light is the recess in the wall in which there is a lamp, the lamp is in a lamp, and the lamp is like a shining star that is consumed by the blessed olive tree, both eastern and western, whose oil almost glows when the fire does not touch it; light upon light itself! Allah guides to His light whom He wills. Allah gives examples to people; Allah knows everything well. (Qur'an, An-Nur / Light, 24:35)” (Ahmet 2.).^[40]

Architecture transforms the meaning of light in that they complement each other. Where light comes through can change the room to make it feel smaller, bigger, and brighter. “The relation between light and architecture with the relation between spirit and body” ( Hayam Mahdy). Light in Islamic architecture reflects the culture through details and decorations, for example, mosque lamps. The way mosques are shaped through the curved cut shapes in the walls gives a secondary source of light that is natural light. Daylight can peer through the openings like a beacon through a window. ^[41]

Light in Islamic architecture represents beauty and detail, bringing the symbol of the divine to life. Through the use of natural and artificial light, the architects of the spaces can express spiritual symbolism that is spoken of in the Qur’an. The effects of shadows enhance the experience for the person who is in the presence.^[42]

                            The importance of the Lamp as a symbol of that Light: God is the light of the heavens and the earth. The symbol of His light is as a niche wherein is a lamp (the lamp is in a glass, and this glass is as it were a radiant star), kindled from a blessed olive tree, neither of the east nor of the west, whose oil would all be glow though fire touch it not; Light upon light. God guideth to His light whom He will and God citeth symbols for men, and God is the Knower of all things. (24:35) -^[43]