A MONUMENTAL SAFAVID PIERCED-STEEL PROCESSIONAL STANDARD ('ALAM) PERSIA, 17TH CENTURY A MONUMENTAL SAFAVID PIERCED-STEEL PROCESSIONAL STANDARD ('ALAM) PERSIA, 17TH CENTURY A MONUMENTAL SAFAVID PIERCED-STEEL PROCESSIONAL STANDARD ('ALAM) PERSIA, 17TH CENTURY

A MONUMENTAL SAFAVID PIERCED-STEEL PROCESSIONAL STANDARD ('ALAM) PERSIA, 17TH CENTURY

Reference: ART3005399

Comprising two drop-form sections fitted together with a quarter-lobed finial, featuring a tall fitted terminal above, the openwork design comprising elegant cursive calligraphy against a ground of foliated scrollwork bordered by a band of palmettes, within a ridged frame featuring stylized dragon-head terminals in between palmettes, mounted on customised metal stand.
Height: 265 cm.

Inscriptions
Surah Al-Ikhlas and v. 51 from surah Al-Qalam

The dragon head projections on the sides were thought to protect the Qur'anic verses by their fiery breath. From the Timurid period, they were symbols of royal or even divine power. The royal symbolism of the dragon has been discussed by Souren Melikian-Chirvani in "Le Shah-Name, la gnose soufie et le pouvoir mongol" (Journal Asiatique, Vol. 272, nos 1-2, 1984, pp. 323ff).