Jinnah of Pakistan
Chandelier
The beauty of the tomb chamber is increased by the presence of the most elaborately
ornamental chandelier hanging down from the apex of the dome over the
main sarcophagus. This is the gift of the Muslim Association of People's
Republic of China and shows the emotional attachment that the Chinese
people have for the Quaid-e-Azam. It is made of stainless steel with gold
leaf beaten on the outer surface and is held together by an 80-feet long
rod. The lamps are of organic glass and so are the strings of beads that
hang down with several interlaced loops and graded motif of triangles.
The chandelier is in four tiers, each tier receding as it goes up and
gives the appearance of a royal umbrella shading over the honoured dead,
just in the same fashion as we find over the top of the Buddhist stupa.
The lamps, which have a green glass shade and are held in golden frame,
vary in number in each tier - six at the top, eight in the second, ten
in the third and sixteen in the lowest tier. Each of the tiers has a circular
frame studded with a ring of crowns. Its outer margin is relieved by palmette,
motif and wavy pattern. From this frame double brackets go out and hold
the lamps. In between the tiers the headed strings hide the hanging rod
and make intricate clasps. At the base of the lower tier the glass strings
make a floral design. When lit, the chandelier sheds a soft green light
in which the beads shine out delightfully. It is a marvellous piece of
craftsmanship. Similarly the sunshades in the basement, wrought in copper,
although simple in design, show the delicate hand in fretted carving which
includes volutes and star patterns. Only the central sunshade over the
main grave has a further elaboration of five-petalled star in the middle,
each star ending in a volute, all within an outer circle of five-petalled
stars and another series of ten cresent-and-star design.
Courtesy: Prof. Ahmad Hasan Dani, Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad