Processional Standard

CulturePersian
Titles
  • Processional Standard
  • 'Alam
Date17th century
MediumSteel
DimensionsOverall: 78 × 18 1/2 × 2 in. (198.1 × 47 × 5.1 cm)
Credit LineGift of Cathy and Vahid Kooros
Object number2022.370
Current Location
The Caroline Wiess Law Building
113 Islamic Art Gallery
On view

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Object Type
Description‘Alams, or standards, are emblems of power. They were paraded during religious ceremonies such as those occurring in the Muslim month
of Muharram commemorating the martyrdom of the Shi‘i Imam Husayn, killed in Karbala (Iraq) in 680. Their shape symbolizes the double-pointed sword of ‘Ali, father of Husayn and son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad. The filigree work that often decorates these standards contains invocations to Allah, Muhammad, and the Shi‘i imams.
ProvenanceVahid and Cathy Kooros, Houston; given to MFAH, 2022
Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks
Invocations to Allah, Muhammad, and the Shi‘i imams.

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

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