Plaque

17th century

Not on view

This pierced steel plaque contains an inscription in fluid nasta‘liq script against a background of vegetal scrolls, which praises the Prophet, his daughter Fatima, and the Twelve Shi‘i Imams (the Chahardah Ma‘sum, or Fourteen Infallibles). The openwork casts a delicate shadow as light filters through its perforations. Similar plaques were placed on entryway doors surrounding the cenotaphs of holy personages in Shi‘i shrines in Iran.

Artwork Details

Overview

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Provenance

Exhibition History

Title: Plaque
Date: 17th century
Geography: Attributed to Iran
Medium: Steel; cut
Dimensions: H. 5 7/16 in. (13.8 cm)
W. 15 7/16 in. (39.2 cm)
D. 1/4 in. (0.6 cm)
Wt. 11.1 oz. (314.7 g)
Classification: Metal
Credit Line: Purchase, Louis E. and Theresa S. Seley Purchase Fund for Islamic Art, Elizabeth S. Ettinghausen Gift, in memory of Richard Ettinghausen, funds from various donors, Josephine L. Berger-Nadler and Ehsan Yarshater Gifts, 2011
Object Number: 2011.410
Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

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