Processional Standard

Public Domain

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Images(2)

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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Department

Art of the Islamic Worlds

Object Type

METALWORK

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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