Not on display

Lantern

early 19th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Unknown (made)
Place of origin
Iran (made)

This silver box formed part of a standard carried in religious processions. Each side has a central panel containing an invocation. The framing inscription contains the Throne Verse from the Qur’an. The pierced panels are probably earlier pieces re-used in the Qajar period (1779-1925), when the lid was added.

Object details

Categories
Islam
Metalwork
Accessories
Containers
Lighting
Object type
Lantern
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Lid
  • Lantern
Materials and techniques
Pierced silver box joined with brass
Silver
Brass
Piercing
Bonding
Welding
Engraving
Brief description
Pierced steel lantern with calligraphy, Iran, 1800-1850.
Physical description
Pierced metal box with lid
Dimensions
  • Length: 18cm
  • Height: 14.5cm
  • Depth: 14.4cm
measurements without lid
Style
Qajar
Marks and inscriptions
  • Throne Verse (Qur'an 2:255) (calligraphy on 4 sides of the box)
  • Ya Ridwan (O Delight), Ya Burhan (O Proof), Ya Daiyan (O Judge), Ya Muhammad (O Muhammad) (central plaques on each side)
Gallery label
(20/07/2006-2013)
Jameel Gallery

Pierced Steel Box
Iran
1800-50

This box formed part of a standard carried in religious processions. Each side has a central panel containing an invocation, while the framing inscription contains the Throne Verse from the Qur'an. The pierced panels are probably earlier pieces re-used in the Qajar period, when the lid was added.

Pierced steel, brass mounts, lid of engraved steel

Museum no. 533-1888
Summary
This silver box formed part of a standard carried in religious processions. Each side has a central panel containing an invocation. The framing inscription contains the Throne Verse from the Qur’an. The pierced panels are probably earlier pieces re-used in the Qajar period (1779-1925), when the lid was added.
Bibliographic reference
James Allan and Brian Gilmour, Persian Steel: The Tanavoli Collection, Oxford, 2000, p. 280.
Collection
Middle East Section
Accession number
533-1888

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Record createdJanuary 27, 2005
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O108790/lantern-unknown/
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