Panel thumbnail 1
Panel thumbnail 2
On display
Image of Gallery in South Kensington

Panel

1575-1600 (made)
Artist/Maker
Unknown
Place of origin
Iran (made)

This is one of a set of eight pierced-steel door plaques said to be from the tomb of Shah Tahmasp. He was the second ruler (from 1524 to 1576) of the Safavid dynasty in Iran.

The full inscription was an Arabic poem in honour of the Fourteen Immaculates. These were the members of Muhammad's family whom the Shi'ite Muslims of Iran hold in greatest esteem. This plaque refers to the Prophet's cousin and son-in-law: 'the Lion of God known as Ali'.

Object details

Category
Metalwork
Object type
Panel
Materials and techniques
Steel, pierced
Steel
Piercing
Brief description
Plaque, openwork steel cartouche with Arabic inscription against spiralling scrollwork background, Safavid Iran, 1575-1600
Physical description
Plaque of openwork steel with Arabic inscription.
Dimensions
  • Length: 38.8cm
  • Height: 13.5cm
Style
Safavid
Marks and inscriptions
Translation
'and of his brother, the lion of God, named 'Ali'
Transliteration
wa akhihi asad Allah musamma bi-`Ali
Gallery label
(Jameel Gallery)
Jameel Gallery

Pierced Steel Plaque
Iran
1500-1600

This is one of a set of eight door plaques said to be from the tomb of Shah Tahmasp. The full inscription was an Arabic poem in honour of the Fourteen Immaculates - the members of Muhammad's family whom the Shi'ites of Iran hold in greatest esteem. This plaque refers to Muhammad's 'brother, the Lion of God known as Ali'.

Steel with cut and engraved decoration

Museum no. M.5-1919. Given by Sir Charles Marling, KCMG, CB
Credit line
Given by Sir Charles Marling KCMG, CB
Summary
This is one of a set of eight pierced-steel door plaques said to be from the tomb of Shah Tahmasp. He was the second ruler (from 1524 to 1576) of the Safavid dynasty in Iran.

The full inscription was an Arabic poem in honour of the Fourteen Immaculates. These were the members of Muhammad's family whom the Shi'ite Muslims of Iran hold in greatest esteem. This plaque refers to the Prophet's cousin and son-in-law: 'the Lion of God known as Ali'.
Bibliographic references
  • The Arts of Islam, Catalogue of the exhibition held at the Hayward Gallery, 8 April - 4 July, 1976, The Arts Council of Great Britain, 1976. 396p., ill. ISBN 0 7287 0081 6 paper bound, 07287 0080 8 cloth bound. Catalogue entry 234, p.199
  • Sotheby's, London, 16 April 1986. The Property of a Lady
Collection
Middle East Section
Accession number
M.5-1919

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdNovember 4, 2003
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O85131/panel-unknown/
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest