Author
Unknown Unknown (designed and made by)
Publication Date
1823
Publication Place
Iran (made) -
Subject
Islam Death
Type
Other
Language
Undetermined
Digital
Yes
Manuscript
No
Physical Dimensions
Of longest side length: 253cm, From apex width: 125cm, Selvedge to selvedge width: 81cm
Library
Victoria and Albert Museum
Library Asset ID
282-1884
Record ID
282-1884
Library Location
Middle East Section
Date
1823
Notes
painted cotton, 1823, Persian; Inscription
Sample Text
Arabic texts: Sura al-Fath (Victory) Qur'an XLVIII, the whole verse; Sura al-Shams Qur'an XCI, the whole verse; Ayat al-Kursi, Qur'an II, 257, 258; Enyakat Qur'an LXVII, 51, 52; the last one is an invocation to Imam Ali: call upon Ali who causes miracles, You will find him your support in every misfortune, all anguish and sorrow will disappear, through your guardianship O Ali, O Ali, O Ali. There is a Persian inscription above the amulet which reads: Kaveh had this on the banner to put dust in the eye of the government of Zahhak. The continuation of the verses below the amulet refers to the importance of this amulet, which is said to have enhanced the power of Kaykhusrow, Suleiman (Solomon), Jamshid, Alexander and others. Written in the month of Ramezan al-mubarak [in the ] year 1238 (12 May -10 June 1823). Ja'afar Ali wrote this. Around the square runs the Ayat al-Kursi (Qur'an II, 257, 258). The square is divided by red lines into a grid of small sqaures [101 x 101], each of which contains a word from the Ayat al-Kursi. The composition is such that from the centre outwards in every direction the Ayat al-Kursi can be read.
Malzemeler ve teknikler
cotton yarn, weaving, sewing, painting.
Fiziksel açıklama
Very fine plain weave cotton made up from three pieces, decorated with painted inscriptions. Around the three edges are two lines of Koranic inscriptions written in black within fine red and black lines. From the apex to the centre of the longest edge is a square lozenge delineated in red and black with one line of inscription. The lozenge is divided by red lines into a grid of small squares, each approx. 0.5 cm square. There are 10201 squares [101 x 101] and each contains a word. The same word is repeated across the squares of that row and, consequently, along the diagonal. The rest of the ground is undecorated except for one corner in which there is a group of small panels with inscriptions and the date in black . There is a 'magic square' in red [9 x 9 squares] and an inscription on red lines which might be the name of the calligrapher.
