Islamic Art
Inscription Plaque, Possibly from a Door
Metalwork
Details
- Author / creator
- Iran, Safavid period (1501–1722)
- Object type
- Metalwork
- Date or period
- c. 1693
- Dimensions summary
- Overall: 27 × 35 cm
- Maker or workshop
- Iran, Safavid period (1501–1722)
- Period / style
- Safavid period
- Place of origin
- Iran
- Acquisition method
- Purchase
- Credit line
- Purchased with the National Heritage Memorial Fund, 1994
- Image rights
- Public domain (CC0)
About this object
This pierced steel plaque is said to have adorned the royal tomb of Shah Suleyman II (reigned 1666–93). The Qur’anic inscription reads: “Verily, God and His Angels send blessings on the Prophet” (33:56). Steel plaques of this type required great skill to manufacture. Because of the steel’s tensile strength and durability, artists were able to create elaborate openwork plaques like this one to decorate the doors of mausolea and mosques.
Materials and technique
Forged steel, cut to shape and pierced
Signature and marks
Muhaqqaq, Qur'an 33:56 'Verily, God and His Angels send blessings on the Prophet'.
