Presented in this lot is a 12th Century AD Bronze Cast Oil Lampstand Copper Overlay Tripod Base (cheragh-paye), procured in Ghazni, Afghanistan, circa 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 lampstand tripod base is highly decorated with Kufic motifs featured. A poly lobed platform with convex slanting rim rests on three legs with feet. One of these legs is now missing, the remaining two have fragments missing. The surface of the platform is created by six lotus bud-shaped cups, their tangent sides curving up to a hexagonal rim and thereby defining triangular facets sloping down from the rim. Within the lotus bud-shaped cups circular cartouches are engraved with pointed finials and triangular bases enclose foliate scrolls. Section of a horizontal protrusion adjacent to area of the missing leg is also missing, copper overlay still visible in some areas. Measures 6.5"H, 9" diameter, weight 1lb, 12oz.