For your consideration this lot includes a 12th Century AD Bronze Oil Lampstand Copper Overlay Tripod Base, procured in Ghazni, Afghanistan 1969-1971. Provenance: the Owen D. Mort, Jr. Collection. Owen David Mort was an American engineer who amassed an impressive collection throughout his worldwide travels. His collection has included art, artifacts and other historical items from which he has donated to museums at the University of Utah and Snite Museum of Art, the University of Notre Dame, including African, Afghan, Indian, Mughal, Persian and Far East Asian art and artifacts. Ghazni's early history is obscure; it has probably existed at least since the 7th century. Early in the 11th century, under Mahmud of Ghazna, the town became the capital of the vast empire of the Ghaznavids, Afghanistan's first Muslim dynasty. This domed lampstand tripod base is highly decorated with Kufic and bird motifs featured on the top and underneath areas. Made to hold a bronze or ceramic oil lamp, it once would have had one or more pole sections rising from its center from which the lamp would hang. The feet of the lamp are shaped like warrior's boots forming a tripod-like stand. Above the legs is a large platform, decorated with incised scrollwork motifs. Rising from the platform is the base where the pole could be inserted. A stand like this one would have served as the main way to provide artificial lighting inside of a Ghaznavid dynasty house; many similar ones have been found an archaeological sites throughout Afghanistan; bronze items would have been treasured and probably passed down through a family as heirlooms. This tripod base has a beautiful dark mottled patina on surface. Slight bending to form. Part of one side of the upper platform is missing. Small areas of loss around the edges of the pole attachment. Legs and upper part of attachment are slightly bent, but the piece stands nicely on its own. Measures 6.5"H, 10.5" diameter, weight 2lb, 12oz.