Caption
Flat metal plate with a slightly raised rim, 13th century, Iran. Diameter 20.8 cm, height 2.2 cm, weight 0.22 kg. The rim bears a band of Arabic inscription in kufic script reading names and blessings such as omnipotence, divine majesty, splendor, fortune... blessings, well-being, prosperity, grace. Some letters are abraded by corrosion and two words remain undeciphered; the words bahja splendor, magnificence and subha majesty are the most plausible readings. The central field depicts a harpy — a bird with a human feminine head, with wavy short hair styled in court fashion and a halo around the raised head. In pre-Islamic and later belief the harpy guarded the divine other world against human intrusion; combined with the benedictory inscription, the image likely conveyed the owner's hope for eternal life., A round metallic plate with a golden color and areas of darker patina sits upright on a clear plastic stand against a smooth gray background that fades to a lighter gray at the bottom; the plate has a slightly concave center with a circular decorative medallion in the middle and a broad rim decorated with intricate etched designs, and the surface shows spots of greenish and brownish discoloration and subtle reflections.
Credit line
Photo12/Liszt Collection
Reference
LZT26A24_005
License type
Rights managed
Available size
44.1Mb (1.3Mb) / 11.9in x 14.4in / 3575 x 4307 (300dpi)