Seljuk Pottery Oil Lamp

The Seljuk Empire, c. 1037-1194AD, Persia.

Lovely Islamic unglazed pottery oil lamp featuring a globular compressed body on a low ring foot with funnel-shaped neck and slightly flaring rim. Eloganted closed spout project from the shoulder with narrow, spade-shaped wick mouth. A folded knob handle projects from the other side. The Great Seljuk Empire (1037-1194AD) was a high medieval Turko-Persian Sunni Muslim Empire founded by Tuğrul Beg and his brother Chağribey Beg in 1037. The Seljuks were a subdivision of the Qiniq branch of the Oğuz Turks, originating on the steppe north of the Aral Sea. At the time of its greatest extent, the Seljuk Empire controlled a vast area, stretching from western Anatolia and the Levant in the west to the Hindu Kush in the east, and from Central Asia in the north to the Persian Gulf in the south and was the target of the First Crusade (1095-1099AD). Starting in the 1140's, during the Second Crusade (1147- 1149AD), the Seljuk Empire declined, and was eventually replaced by the Khwarazmian Dynasty in 1194.

Good condition. Intact. No repairs. Wear consistent with age and use. Charred spout with soot residue. Surface scratches and abrasion. Rich earthen deposits. Size approx. 13,5cm x 7,3cm x 6,3cm.

Provenance: private collection from Finland.

References and further reading:

Seljuk Turks, History Maps. (https://history-maps.com/story/Seljuk-Turks)

Seljuk Turks, New World Encyclopedia, April 21, 2023. (https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/p/index.php title=Seljuk_Turks&oldid=1109731.)