In Islamic art niches and lamps in them are important elements of architecture and décor of many buildings such as mosques, mausoleums, palaces and others.
Niches in Islamic architecture are called mihrabs; they are a recess in a wall that points Muslims in the direction of Mecca, where the Kaaba, a holy place and a place of pilgrimage for Muslims around the world, is located. Mihrabs are usually decorated with colorful mosaics or calligraphy that includes verses from the Quran.
In decorative art, niches in the Islamic style can also be used as bookshelves, decorative wall panels or to store holy objects, relics and lamps.
Lamps, installed in niches, were securely protected from gusts of wind. They were also an example of Islamic art. They were usually made of metal, glass or ceramic and could have various shapes and sizes. Lamps were decorated with engraving, wood or stone carvings, calligraphy or geometric patterns that created a play of light and shadow on the surface of the walls.
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In Islamic art, lamps in niches have a symbolic meaning. They represent the light of faith and knowledge that illuminates the way to God. Besides, lamps can be used as decorative elements that enhance the depth and volume effect of the niche.
In an interview with Al-Jazeera Net, Dr. Nader Abdel-Dayem, professor of Islamic archaeology at Ain Shams University (Egypt), explains that a lamp in a niche is most often shaped like a glass flower vase of various colors. Early glassblowers were true masters of their craft, and this craft was passed down from generation to generation, forming entire dynasties of glassblowers.
Abdel-Dayem spoke about the most valuable collections of lamps that belonged to the Mamluk epoch. The lamps are decorated with enamel, gold and verses from the Quran. They were excellent sources of illumination for mosques and palaces of that time. Those decorations show the high level of craftsmanship that Muslim artists attained during the Mamluk era.
Among the most famous surviving lamps of that period are considered to be the lanterns of Sultan Barquq. Today this is one of the largest collections, 58 pieces, preserved at the Museum of Islamic Art and the Imam Hussein Mosque in Cairo. Sultan Barquq was a ruler of the Mamluk Sultanate from 1382 to 1389 in Egypt and Syria. He was famous for supporting art and culture in his country. He sponsored many artists and craftsmen who created works of art for his court and public places.
The Sultan Barquq lamps were made of copper. They were half a meter high and 30 cm in diameter. They were decorated with images of animals, patterns and armorial symbols. The lamps also had details of glass that allowed the light to penetrate and create interesting plays of light and shadow. In addition to it, each lamp had an inscription in Arabic, ayats from the Quran, poems or proverbs that Sultan Barquq personally selected.
Dr. Mohammed Hassam Al-Din Ismail, professor of Islamic archaeology at Ain Shams University (Egypt) and former consultant to the General Directorate of Urban Planning, told Al-Jazeera Net that glass lamps were blown by Egyptian glassblowers, ‘They developed that art form along with the development of Islamic architecture.’
Glassblowers’ workshops were located in areas of Cairo such as Al-Darasa, Al-Jamalia, Al-Nasriya and Ancient Egypt, as well as in Alexandria and other major cities. Several families, such as Awlad al-Tahan al-Kabeer, inherited this type of art. The workshop of Haji Ismail al-Tahan became famous and the craft was passed down from generation to generation to produce masterpieces of glassware until they were replaced by mechanization and mass production and manual production ceased completely.
Hassam Al-Din says that ‘the craftsmanship of glassblowers requires a special skill and high level of knowledge in the use of tools.’
Today the production of lamps has become mainstream. This is no longer manual labor. However, in Egypt there are workshops and artists who still make lamps by hand to this day.
One of such craftsmen is Muhammad Mahmud Allaham. He is a well-known craftsman from Aswan who specializes in making lamps by hand. He uses traditional methods of work and materials, including copper and glass, in order to create unique and beautiful lamps.
Another famous craftsman is Ahmed Abdel Ati. He works in a workshop in Cairo and specializes in making lamps by hand. Ahmed Abdel Ati creates lamps in various shapes and sizes, using conventional techniques of carving, engraving and decoration.
These craftsmen preserve and continue the traditions of art and craftsmanship that they have inherited from their ancestors, and do it in respect of Egypt’s rich cultural and historical heritage.
The tradition of making lamps by hand is also maintained in Iran. Some of the most famous modern craftsmen are:
• Hasan Fathi, a well-known contemporary Iranian artist and master of calligrapher. He creates magnificent lamps with unique calligraphic patterns.
• Mohammed Saidi follows traditional methods and techniques, using metal, ceramics and glass to create beautiful lamps.
• Nino Mehtabadi, a contemporary artist and designer from Iran, creates lamps that combine classic Islamic art elements with contemporary design.
In addition to it, there are many other talented artists and craftsmen who create beautiful lamps in accordance with the traditional methods and techniques or with the use of new materials and technologies.
In general, lamps in niches represent an important element of Islamic culture and art. They reflect rich heritage of Islamic tradition and symbolize the light of faith and knowledge, which illuminates the way to God.
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