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Standing Figure with Jeweled Headdress

12th–early 13th century
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 453
The ornamented headdres, arms, and rich vestments of this figure suggest that it most likely represents a sovereign’s personal guard, viziers or amir. Probably meant to decorate the reception hall of a ruler’s court, be it the Seljuq sultan or one of his local vassals or successors, figures like this one would parallel and enhance actual ceremonies in the very setting in which they took place. Recent analyses have proven that a traditionally-made gypsum plaster is consistently employed on these figures and on archaeological stuccoes. This figure also displays integrated restoration of the first half of the twentieth century, including additions in a more refined gypsum, and modern pigments (some of the reds and synthetic ultramarine blue).

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Standing Figure with Jeweled Headdress
  • Date: 12th–early 13th century
  • Geography: Attributed to Iran
  • Medium: Gypsum plaster; modeled, carved, polychrome-painted, gilded
  • Dimensions: H. 56 1/2 in. (143.5 cm)
    W. 20 1/4 in. (51.5 cm)
    Gr. D. 10 in. (25.4 cm)
    Wt. including crate: 437 lbs. (198.2 kg)
    from the bottom of the coat to the top of the crown 45.3 inches (115 cm)
  • Classification: Sculpture
  • Credit Line: Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Lester Wolfe, 1967
  • Object Number: 67.119
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

More Artwork

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Standing Figure with Feathered Headdress, Gypsum plaster; modeled, carved, polychrome-painted, gilded
Standing Figure with Feathered Headdress
12th–early 13th century
Turquoise Bowl with Lute Player and Audience, Stonepaste; glazed (opaque monochrome), in-glaze- and overglaze-painted, gilded
Turquoise Bowl with Lute Player and Audience
late 12th–early 13th century
Head of a Central Asian Figure in a Pointed Cap, Gypsum plaster; modeled, carved
Head of a Central Asian Figure in a Pointed Cap
12th–early 13th century
Seated Tambourine Player, Stucco; molded and painted
Seated Tambourine Player
12th century
Figure, Brass; cast, chased, gilded
Figure
12th century

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Standing Figure with Jeweled Headdress - The Metropolitan Museum of Art