Qalamkari Textile
05/1932-06/1932 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The figure of Iran stands on a globe, holding the national flag aloft. The optimistic nationalism of this image reflects the modernizing programme of Riza Shah Pahlavi (1878-1944), who ruled from 1925, when the Qajar dynasty was deposed, until he was himself deposed by British and Soviet forces in 1941. The production techniques employed were traditional, and the subsidiary motifs - notably the putti holding aloft slogans - are derived from late Qajar art.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Block-printed and painted cotton panel |
| Brief description | Large block-printed and painted cotton panel with an allegorical figure of Iran, by Husayn Fakhkhari, Isfahan, Iran, May-June 1932 |
| Physical description | Rectangular cotton panel, block-printed and painted in colour. A narrow band turned over at the top, with loops attached for suspension. The main motif is a female figure representing Iran; she holds aloft an Iranian flag and stands on a globe. In the background, the sun emanating rays towards nine angels of graduated sizes, within floral borders. |
| Dimensions |
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| Historical context | This piece is a relatively early example of Pahlavi propaganda which evinces many features of late Qajar art. It can therefore be seen as transitional from Qajar art and the Islamic period to the modern Iran of the Pahlavi period and later. |
| Production | May-June 1932 |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Place depicted | |
| Summary | The figure of Iran stands on a globe, holding the national flag aloft. The optimistic nationalism of this image reflects the modernizing programme of Riza Shah Pahlavi (1878-1944), who ruled from 1925, when the Qajar dynasty was deposed, until he was himself deposed by British and Soviet forces in 1941. The production techniques employed were traditional, and the subsidiary motifs - notably the putti holding aloft slogans - are derived from late Qajar art. |
| Bibliographic reference | J. Curtis, I. Sarikhani Sandmann and T. Stanley, Epic Iran: 5000 Years of Culture, London: V&A Publishing, 2021.
p.275, cat. no. 207 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | ME.1-2003 |
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| Record created | May 6, 2005 |
| Record URL |
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