Offered in this lot are Afghan Ghaznavid Empire Bronze and Iron Oil Lamps (4), circa 12th-15th Century AD, during the Golden Age of Islam. Procured in Afghanistan 1969-1971. The Ghaznavid dynasty, was a Persianate Muslim dynasty and empire of Turkic Mamluk origin. Lashkar Gah, once historically called Bost or Boost, was once the site of a Ghaznavid palace and soldiers' bazaar near the confluence of the Helmand and Arghandab rivers in southeastern Afghanistan. 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 the Snite Museum of Art at the University of Notre Dame, including Afghan artifacts. The monuments at Bost include remains from periods of ancient Iranian, Greco-Roman, and Indian domination, as well as the ruins of an imposing fortress, a soaring arch with baked-brick decoration in geometric patterns. The wealth of the medieval city was attested by Arab and Persian writers. Much of Afghanistan's art can be traced back through the invasions, occupations, empires, and dynasties that so frequently have ravaged the country. Afghanistan has been a crossroads of cultures that make up the colorfully robust and dynamic foundation of Afghan art. The National Museum of Afghanistan showcases artifacts from the Ghaznavid dynasty in the 12th Century A.D. The colors seen on ancient bronzes are mostly a result of copper oxidizing to form red-brown cuprite, green malachite, and bluish azurite. The bronze hanging oil lamp has a stamped circular design pattern on the spine of the vertical shaft with a flat spoon attached at the shaft base, a hanging hook attached at the top. The iron oil lamps have a circular flat base with a vertical shaft rising to a bowl, a flat spoon attached by a chain to the bowl rim. The two tallest lamps have incised designs along the shafts. These oil lamps could be used in temples or home shrines. A rich patina and oxidation observed on the lamps. The iron oil lamps are stair-stepped heights of 10.75", 9.25", and 8.75", with respective bowl diameter sizes of 5.5", 5", and 4.75". The hanging oil lamp is 17"H extended with a 6.25" diameter bowl. Total weight 3lb, 12oz. 83836: