Miniature from a copy of Jafar al-Sadiq’s Falnama. ‘Karkhi, Gatekeeper at the Tomb of Imam Reza, is Honored’
Iran, Tabriz or Qasvin; c. 1550–1560
Leaf: 59 × 46 cm
Inventory number 28/1997
Despite its slightly smaller format, this miniature probably comes from the Falnama manuscript that was made for Shah Tahmasp.
Because the text is missing, it is uncertain what the scene shows. It has been suggested that the building is the mosque with Imam Husayn’s tomb.
Two muezzins stand on the roof, calling the faithful to prayer, while angels scatter blessings (baraka) over the dome. Fourteen men stand beside and around a large cenotaph under which a holy man is buried. Lamps hang from the ceiling and standards (alam) that are used in religious processions are lined up against the back wall.
Because the text is missing, it is uncertain what the scene shows. It has been suggested that the building is the mosque with Imam Husayn’s tomb.
Two muezzins stand on the roof, calling the faithful to prayer, while angels scatter blessings (baraka) over the dome. Fourteen men stand beside and around a large cenotaph under which a holy man is buried. Lamps hang from the ceiling and standards (alam) that are used in religious processions are lined up against the back wall.
Published in
Published in
Soustiel, Paris, 14.-15./4, 1997, lot 564;
Kjeld von Folsach: Art from the World of Islam in The David Collection, Copenhagen 2001, cat.no. 35;
Armen Tokatlian: Falnamah: livre royal des sorts, Montreuil 2007, cat.no. nr. 24;
Kjeld von Folsach: For the Privileged Few: Islamic Miniature Painting from The David Collection, Louisiana, Humlebæk 2007, cat.no. 40;
Kjeld von Folsach, Joachim Meyer: The Human Figure in Islamic Art – Holy Men, Princes, and Commoners, The David Collection, Copenhagen 2017, cat.no. 30;
Kjeld von Folsach: Art from the World of Islam in The David Collection, Copenhagen 2001, cat.no. 35;
Armen Tokatlian: Falnamah: livre royal des sorts, Montreuil 2007, cat.no. nr. 24;
Kjeld von Folsach: For the Privileged Few: Islamic Miniature Painting from The David Collection, Louisiana, Humlebæk 2007, cat.no. 40;
Kjeld von Folsach, Joachim Meyer: The Human Figure in Islamic Art – Holy Men, Princes, and Commoners, The David Collection, Copenhagen 2017, cat.no. 30;
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