1953.47: ‘Ali Holding His Sword, Dhu’l-Fiqar, Accompanied by His Sons, Hasan and Husayn

Identification and Creation

Object Number

1953.47

Title

‘Ali Holding His Sword, Dhu’l-Fiqar, Accompanied by His Sons, Hasan and Husayn

Classification

Albums

Work Type

album folio

Date

19th century

Places

Creation Place: South Asia, India

Culture

Indian

Persistent Link

https://hvrd.art/o/311596

Physical Descriptions

Medium

Opaque watercolor and gold on paper

Dimensions

sight: 30.48 x 23.5 cm (12 x 9 1/4 in.)

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line

Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Francis H. Burr Memorial Fund

Accession Year

1953

Object Number

1953.47

Division

Asian and Mediterranean Art

Contact

am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu

Permissions

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Descriptions

Description

Seated against a large pink bolster and on a roofed terrace is ‘Ali, the Prophet Muhammad’s cousin and son-in-law. He wears a blue headdress, blue robe, and brown shoes. He has a dark mustache and a dark, thick, full bead. His hands are crossed at the wrists on his lap and hold Dhu’l Fiqar, his bifurcated sword given to him by the Prophet Muhammad during the Battle of Uhud against the Meccans in the year 625 and thought to have been imbued with magical powers. A green halo bordered in gold surrounds his head. Seated diagonally behind ‘Ali are two young boys. The one on the right wears a pink turban, pink over coat, and a green robe (jama). The one on the left hears a red turban, a red overcoat, and a green robe. Both have their hands crossed in their laps and their right hands clutching white handkerchiefs. They also bear green halos with gold borders. The two figures are most likely ‘Ali’s sons and the Prophet’s grandsons, Hasan and Husayn.

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