Publication Date
Approximately 1300 AH / approximately 1900 AD
Publication Place
-
Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia
Subject
Lacquer
Type
Other
Language
Undetermined
Digital
Yes
Manuscript
No
Physical Dimensions
43.8×28.5 سم
Library
Museum With No Frontiers
Library Asset ID
2016.13.6
Record ID
object;EPM;my;Mus21;31;ar
Library Location
Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia
Date
Approximately 1300 AH / approximately 1900 AD
Notes
The pair of Qajar-era lacquer bindings show Fatih Ali Shah (r. 1797-1834) on the front cover in his famous majestic pose, embodied by his jeweled adornment and wearing the huge imperial crown, the crown and kiani made for him upon his accession in 1798. The back cover shows a royal scene, landscape, court and decoration. The king shown here is Muhammad Shah Qajar (ruled 1834-1848), the son of Fateh Ali Shah. Although there are some slight differences in the number of people, the design of their clothes and things can also be noticed. The inner cover is decorated with a reverse pattern. The main panel is decorated with a curved central medallion and two small pendant ornaments at the top and bottom, cut in the corners, which contain a velvet of red and yellow flowers on a green background. The parts of the central area between the center and the corner pieces are filled with paintings with gold-painted flowers and leaves. The painting is framed with three borders/frames: the middle frame has a red ground with red and yellow rose velvets distributed between two frames of golden flowers and leaves on a black ground. Although the maker of the cover has not been identified, the drawing suggests that it could be a marqa (album) cover or royal documents that were commissioned by the Shah himself or by an emir or a wealthy official from the court. In addition, although the binding is unsigned and undated, the quality of the workmanship indicates that it was painted by one of the master painters in the court art ateliers. The frame has been removed and the gap closed.
Sample Text
“Book cover” within Discover Islamic Art Collections. Museum Without Borders, 2026. https://islamicart.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=object;EPM;my;Mus21;31;ar
