Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
'Alam
(Islamic World )
Originally mounted on a tall pole and dressed with fabric streamers, this standard (‘alam) was paraded through the streets and public squares of Iran during ritual festivities commemorating the martyrdom of Husayn (d. 680), the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad. Projecting dragon heads frame an intricate calligraphic composition that bears the names of the 12 imams (religious leaders) central to the branch of Shia Islam adopted as the official state religion by the Safavid dynasty (1501–1736). Adherents of Shia Islam believe that the legitimate successor to the Prophet Muhammad was ‘Ali, the father of Husayn and son-in-law of Muhammad.
Inscription
Provenance
Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object. Learn more about provenance at the Walters.
Acquired by Wilfried Uhde, Heidelberg, Germany, March 1987; purchased by Sam Fogg Ltd., London, February 2017; purchased by Walters Art Museum, 2017.
Conservation
| Date | Description | Narrative |
|---|---|---|
| 7/17/2019 | Treatment | repaired |
| 7/17/2019 | Treatment | Prior restorations failed; materials removed and replaced with more stable adheisves. |
Geographies
Iran (Place of Origin)
Measurements
H: 49 7/16 × Max W: 16 5/8 × D: 3/8 in. (125.5 × 42.2 × 1 cm); Base H: 5 9/16 × W: 7 3/8 in. (14.1 × 18.7 cm)
Credit Line
Museum purchase with funds provided by the W. Alton Jones Foundation Acquisition Fund, 2017
Accession Number
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
52.317