Ornamental plaque

A plaque (for mounting). Steel. Pierced vine-scrolls; finished on one face.

Historical period(s)
Safavid period, 17th century
Medium
Steel
Dimensions
H x W: 3.8 x 7.1 cm (1 1/2 x 2 13/16 in)
Geography
Iran
Credit Line
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art Collection
Accession Number
F1940.8
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Metalwork
Type

Plaque

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 plaque (for mounting). Steel. Pierced vine-scrolls; finished on one face.

Label

The openwork design of this small plaque was executed by drilling and filling. This kind of object was used to ornament buildings and furnishings though it is unclear how this piece would have been attached to another surface as there are no openings or appendages that could have been used for this purpose.

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. 29, p. 197.
Collection Area(s)
Arts of the Islamic World
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
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