.jpg?w=1)
Lot Essay
The inscriptions are:
On the main panel: Qur'an, CX, sura al-nasr, vv. 1-3
Repetition of an invocation to the Prophet Muhammad
A Persian Quatrain (not all deciphered)
Verses from the eighth part of the Muhtashan Kashani's Tarji'-band marthiya (elegy) for Imam Husayn.
The 'alam is signed twice. In one instance it is signed, 'amal-i muhammad taqi khalaf-i sidq-i ustad malik muhammad dawatgar-bashi (Work of Muhammad Taqi, the worthy son of Ustad (master) Malik Muhammad Dawatgar-bashi (chief ink-maker or metal-solder). In the other it is simply signed 'amal-i muhammad taqi (Work of Muhammad Taqi). Neither the maker nor his father is identified. Similarly, the term Dawatgar-bashi is previously unrecorded.
This 'alam and one sold in these rooms 7 April 2011, lot 149 must have been products of the same workshop or school of design. They share very similar work in the main panels, and in the bands of floral lattice engraving on the shaft, and in the development of the four-sided elements so that the standard can be seen from the side. Together they present us with very useful insight into the production in that the April 2011 'alam bore a date of AH 118/1706-7 AD and this carries the name of the maker, Taqi Muhammad.
Complete 'alams, such as these put into context many of the fragmentary examples that have been published and are known. Many of those have long screw fixtures at one end or the other; this gives the full, intended impact. There appears to have been a revival of cut steel work in the early 18th century during the reign of Shah Sultan Husayn and these 'alams although perhaps not a direct product, may well have been a repercussion of that.
On the main panel: Qur'an, CX, sura al-nasr, vv. 1-3
Repetition of an invocation to the Prophet Muhammad
A Persian Quatrain (not all deciphered)
Verses from the eighth part of the Muhtashan Kashani's Tarji'-band marthiya (elegy) for Imam Husayn.
The 'alam is signed twice. In one instance it is signed, 'amal-i muhammad taqi khalaf-i sidq-i ustad malik muhammad dawatgar-bashi (Work of Muhammad Taqi, the worthy son of Ustad (master) Malik Muhammad Dawatgar-bashi (chief ink-maker or metal-solder). In the other it is simply signed 'amal-i muhammad taqi (Work of Muhammad Taqi). Neither the maker nor his father is identified. Similarly, the term Dawatgar-bashi is previously unrecorded.
This 'alam and one sold in these rooms 7 April 2011, lot 149 must have been products of the same workshop or school of design. They share very similar work in the main panels, and in the bands of floral lattice engraving on the shaft, and in the development of the four-sided elements so that the standard can be seen from the side. Together they present us with very useful insight into the production in that the April 2011 'alam bore a date of AH 118/1706-7 AD and this carries the name of the maker, Taqi Muhammad.
Complete 'alams, such as these put into context many of the fragmentary examples that have been published and are known. Many of those have long screw fixtures at one end or the other; this gives the full, intended impact. There appears to have been a revival of cut steel work in the early 18th century during the reign of Shah Sultan Husayn and these 'alams although perhaps not a direct product, may well have been a repercussion of that.