Finial, Possibly from a Cenotaph

Unknown

late 14th–16th century · Wood; turned and carved with traces of later paint and gilding · Islamic Art

Finials are by nature ornamental rather than integral elements of architecture or furniture. In this appealingly proportioned wooden object carved in low relief, the monumental yet softly rounded thuluth inscription carries the same weight as the large-scale arabesque decoration with interlacing rumi or split-palmette leaves and trefoil-like flowers. The Arabic inscription proclaims the Shi‘a profession of faith: "There is no God but God (Allah); Muhammad is the Prophet of God and ‘Ali is the friend of God." The nature of the inscription suggests that the finial may have been part of the interior decoration of a Shi‘a tomb or shrine.

Artist

Unknown

Date

late 14th–16th century

Medium

Wood; turned and carved with traces of later paint and gilding

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Louis E. and Theresa S. Seley Purchase Fund for Islamic Art and Rogers Fund, 1988