Ceramic Vessel in the Shape of a Mosque Lamp. Dimensions: H. 6 11/16 in. (17 cm)Max. diam. 5 13/16 in. (14.8 cm). Date: 1525-40.With its delicate spiraling stem design, this small vessel belongs to a group of ceramics formerly referred to as "Golden Horn" wares. Current scholarship, however, prefers the term tughrakes-, or "tughra-illuminator" style for such decoration, comparing its design to the fine swirling vines adorning tughra calligraphies. During this period, pottery shapes often imitated metalwork forms. This piece, however, emulates glass mosque lamps, which often displayed Arabic inscriptions. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.