Tessuto votivo islamico
L'aggiudicazione sarà gravata di diritti d'asta nella percentuale del 25.00%
Tessuto votivo islamico
Probabilmente Persia, XIX secolo
95 X 146 cm
Islamic devotional cloth
Probably Persia, 19th century
A rare Islamic ritual cloth, made on indigo-dyed cotton using the silver leaf block-printing technique known as varak (from the Persian varaq, ‘leaf’). This technique, traditionally used to produce ceremonial textiles, consists of the application of thin metal foils on fabric using adhesive paste and engraved matrices. The decoration is marked by a regular sequence of stylized trees of life, solar or floral rosettes and calligraphic bands. The rosettes bear the invocation ‘Yā “Alī” (ﻋﻠﻲ ﯾﺎ) in the centre, surrounded by the sacred names of Allāh, Muḥammad, ʿAlī, Fāṭima, Ḥasan and Ḥusayn (ﺣﺴﯿﻦ ﺣﺴﻦ ﻓﺎطﻤﺔ ﻋﻠﻲ ﻣﺤﻤﺪ ﷲ), central figures in Shi’a spirituality. The horizontal bands alternate the composition with ritual formulas such as ‘Allāh, iǧ’al, yā Fāṭima, yā Ḥusayn’ (ﺣﺴﯿﻦ ﯾﺎ اﺟﻌﻞ ﷲ), an invocation typical of the popular and votive cult linked to the Ahl al- Bayt. The balance between symbolic elements and sacred scripture, combined with the refinement of the materials, suggests a ritual use of the fabric, perhaps as a ceremonial cloth or decoration on the occasion of Ashura‘, the feast commemorating the martyrdom of Imam Ḥusayn in Karbalā’. The piece was lined in recent times for conservation purposes.
95 X 146 cm
Arte Orientale
Inizio Offerte: 09-06-2025 12:45:02 – Fine Offerte: 30-06-2025 14:00:00
