Reflections on Medieval Hunting Ornamentation of a Candlestick From the Copenhagen David Collection

Abstract

A metal candlestick registered with the inventory number 2/1963 in the Copenhagen David Collection attracts attention with its figurative decoration program. This candlestick, which has close similarities in medieval Islamic art and is referenced from time to time especially in foreign literature in terms of its decorations, has not been the subject of a detailed scientific study in terms of the details it offers regarding the period. All outer surfaces of the concave bronze candelabra, except the bottom, feature a visually rich decoration program with engraving and silver inlay technique. The aim of this study is to make some evaluations about the hunting culture and artistic reflections, which turned into a symbol of power in the political and social structure of the period, based on the depictions of hunting, which is thought to belong to the Seljuk era. In this study, it was revealed how the hunting culture was reflected in art around the Seljuk palace, especially the candlestick in the David Collection. In this respect, the research focused on hunting and its reflection in visual expression in the medieval Turkish-Islamic period.