first half 16th century
Iran
Object qualities
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Object
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Author of the objectMuhammad Talib Gilani
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Type of arts & crafts
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MediumIvory; carved with traces of pigment
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SizeH. 1/4 in. (0.6 cm) Diam. 3 3/8 in. (8.6 cm)
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Geography detailsAttributed to
Iran -
Country today
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Datefirst half 16th century
Source of information
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Type of sourceDatabase “Metropolitan Museum of Art”
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Fund that the source refers toMetropolitan Museum of Art
Description
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This carved ivory plaque bears the signature of an otherwise unknown craftsman, Muhammad Talib Gilani. The plaque most likely comes from the cenotaph of Shah Isma’il I, which is believed to have been commissioned for his tomb in the Ardabil Shrine by his widow, Tajlu Khanum, or by his son, Shah Tahmasp. The opulent inlaid wood decoration of the cenotaph includes ivory, ebony, and strips of bone or ivory tinted in a variety of colors.