Imagine this lamp glowing in the dark interior of a Cairo mosque, a flickering flame illuminating the lamp’s rich enameled colors and gold from within. Lamps like this were suspended a few feet above head level by chains attached to the loops around the lamp’s body. A wick floated in a dish of oil and water attached to the rim of the glass lamp by short chains. Lit, it created the beautiful and mysterious effect of glittering light. An inscription in decorative Arabic calligraphy painted in vivid blue enamel around the neck records a verse from the Chapter of Light in the Muslim holy book, the Qur’an: “God is the light of the heavens and the earth. His light is like a niche and within it a lamp, the lamp enclosed in glass, the glass as if it were a brilliant star” (Qur’an 24:35).

This lamp includes a second inscription, to Amir Sayf al-Din Shaykhu al-Umari (about 1307–1357), who ordered many lamps bearing his name to furnish a religious complex in Cairo. The cup motif in the roundels indicates that he held the prestigious post of cupbearer at the Mamluk court.

Mamluk Sultanate (1250–1517), Mosque Lamp. Gilded and enameled glass, about 1349–1355. Height: 13 1/2 in. (34.4 cm); diameter: 10 1/8 in. (25.7 cm). Purchased with funds from the Libbey Endowment, Gift of Edward Drummond Libbey, 1933.320. On view in the Cloister Gallery.