Islamic Art Studies

Islamic Art Studies

An Examination of the Symbols and Signs of Shi'ism in the Metalwork Art of the Qajar Era

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Maryam Yosofi 1
Mojtaba Garavand 2
Dariush Nazari 2
1 Department of History and Archaeology, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Lorestan University, Nahavand, Iran
2 Department of History and Archaeology, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Lorestan University, Khorram Abad, Iran
10.22034/ias.2026.565543.2445
Abstract
With the spread of Islam in Iran and the gradual establishment of Shi'ism as the dominant religious discourse in certain historical periods, Iranian art underwent fundamental transformations, both in its formal and semantic dimensions. From the perspective of the sociology of art, these developments can be analyzed in direct connection with the structures of power, belief systems, and collective rituals of society. Metalwork, as one of the applied and ritual arts, became an effective medium for the representation and reproduction of Shi'i concepts during the Qajar period. In this era, metal objects such as inscriptions, processional standards (ʿalam) used in mourning rituals, alms bowls (kashkūl), and other ritual implements, employing religious symbols and signs such as the names of the Ahl al-Bayt (AS), supplications, the panjā (hand motif), and sacred elements, played an active role in organizing collective memory and Shi'i identity. From a historical perspective, the simultaneous expansion of mourning rituals and the political support of the Qajar state for Shi'ism provided the groundwork for the production and dissemination of these works; and from a sociological viewpoint, these objects can be considered visual media that served to legitimize religious authority and reinforce social cohesion. The present research, employing a descriptive-analytical approach and relying on library studies and direct observation of works, attempts to explain the function and semantics of Shi'i symbols in Qajar metalwork in connection with the socio-historical context of that period. The findings indicate that these symbols, beyond their decorative function, possessed identity-forming, cultural, and discursive roles in consolidating Shi'ism in Qajar society. Furthermore, a comparative examination of the surviving metal objects shows that the decorative methods, inscription practices, and selection of religious themes were shaped according to ritual spaces and social audiences, and they played an effective role in conveying doctrinal concepts, reinforcing religious belonging, and reproducing the official Shi'i discourse.
Research Objectives:


Analyzing and identifying the concepts employed in the metalwork works of the Qajar era and explaining their artistic functions.


Examining the extent of the use of Shi'i symbols in Qajar metalwork and their role in conveying religious concepts.


Research Questions:


How have Shi'i symbols and beliefs been reflected in the metalwork art of the Qajar era?


Which metal objects from the Qajar period featured Shi'i symbols and signs?
Keywords
Islamic Art
Qajar Metalwork
Sociology of Art
Shi'i Symbols
Ritual Art
Subjects
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