Torch Stand

Although manuscripts are most commonly considered the source for poetry, a corpus of inlaid metal torch-stands, many inscribed with poetic verses, does much to illuminate a genre of Persian-language writing that makes use of the metaphor of candles burning, melting, attracting moths or extinguishing to describe the relationship between God and a believer. Cleverly applied to objects intended to support candles or torches, the poetry gains potency in the context of these objects’ use. There a number of torch stands of this type that survive, seemingly becoming popular in the early 10th century AH/16th century CE. All are engraved with vegetal scrollwork, geometric patterns and calligraphy, or a combination of all three types of motifs. This type of stand requires an additional fitting to support the torch or candle, as seen on MW.21.1997 (although the one here may be a modern replacement).
This torch stand has an inscription indicating it was given as waqf (endowment) to a religious institution. In fact, many similar torch stands were bequeathed to Sufi shrines, as a sign of devotion to a particular Sufi pir (master), and where visitors would be receptive to the symbolism of the poetry, often described as expressing a mystical interpretation of Islam.