A comb back

A comb-back: a sheath with a socket for teeth. Sheet-iron. Decoration engraved and inlaid with silver and gold (some areas missing); inscriptions engraved in counter-sunk relief.

Historical period(s)
Safavid period, 17th century
Medium
Iron, gold and silver inlay
Dimensions
H x W: 6.2 x 7.7 cm (2 7/16 x 3 1/16 in)
Geography
Iran
Credit Line
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art Collection
Accession Number
F1940.4
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Metalwork, Tool and Equipment
Type

Comb back

Keywords
Iran, Safavid period (1501 - 1722)
Provenance

To ?
E. Beghian. [1]

From 1940
Freer Gallery of Art, purchased from E. Beghian through H.S. Andonian, New York. [2]

Notes:

[1] Curatorial Remark 1 in the object record. Also see undated folder sheet note in the object file.

[2] Freer Gallery of Art Purchase List after 1920 file, Collections Management Office.

Previous Owner(s) and Custodian(s)

E. Beghian 1910?-1950?

Description

A comb-back: a sheath with a socket for teeth. Sheet-iron. Decoration engraved and inlaid with silver and gold (some areas missing); inscriptions engraved in counter-sunk relief.

Label

This arch-shaped hollow piece, used as the back of a comb, was made in two parts and soldered together at the sides. A plaque with teeth would have been inserted into the sheath at the bottom and secured with a pin. The arabic inscription in naskhi along the outer edges of the piece can be translated as, "The congregation, the obedience, the religion, the hour of judgment."

Published References
  • Richard Ettinghausen, Ernst Kuhnel. A Survey of Persian Art from Prehistoric Times to the Present. 6 vols., London and New York, 1938 - 1939. vol. 3: p. 2514f.
  • Dr. Esin Atil, W. Thomas Chase, Paul Jett. Islamic Metalwork in the Freer Gallery of Art. Washington, 1985. cat. 32, pp. 203-204.
Collection Area(s)
Arts of the Islamic World
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
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