A PIERCED STEEL PROCESSIONAL STANDARD ('ALAM)

NORTH INDIA, DATED AH 1268/1851-52 AD

Details

A PIERCED STEEL PROCESSIONAL STANDARD ('ALAM)
NORTH INDIA, DATED AH 1268/1851-52 AD
Rising from a conical shaft with raised boss to pierced calligraphic drop-shaped body divided into an inner and outer calligraphic register, the outer register surrounded by two twisted steel bars with four stylised dragon-head shaped terminals, the top terminating in three fronds
28½in. (72.3cm.) high

Engraved

At the centre, 'God, Muhammad, 'Ali, Fatima, Hasan and Husayn', and part of Qur'an LXI, sura al-saff, v.13, and the date 1268 [1851-52]
Around the edge, The names of the remaining nine Shi'a Imams from Zayn al-'Abidin to Muhammad al-Mahdi

Brought to you by

Andrew Butler-Wheelhouse

abutler-wheelhouse@christies.com +44 (0)20 7389 2196

Lot Essay

The calligraphy on this ‘alam bears strong resemblance to an example dated by Mark Zebrowski to the 16th century (Mark Zebrowski, Gold, Silver and Bronze from Mughal India, London, 1997, no.537, p.327). That was attributed to North India on the basis that it was unearthed near Bikaner in Rajasthan whilst a new railway line was laid there. Although dated much later, our ‘alam follows the same tradition.

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