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Seljuk Stucco Figures,
mid-11th century-mid-12th century.


A larger image of this Seljuk Stucco Figure


A larger image of this Seljuk Stucco Figure


These large polychrome stucco sculptures of princely figures probably once served as a centerpiece of a more extensive composition of stucco revetments in an Iranian palace complex. Audience halls decorated with painted murals of similar figures were found in Lashkari Bazar (Afghanistan) and Merv (Turkmenistan). The figures have round Turkic "moon faces," fashionable in eastern and western Iran. They each wear a robe under an embroidered and highly embellished coat, or kaftan, with a tiraz inscription band on the upper arm. The elaborate and partly gilded diadems and magnificent large sabres point to royal imagery.

Princely Figure with Jewelled Crown
Date: mid-11th–mid-12th century
Geography: Iran
Culture: Islamic
Medium: Stucco; modeled, carved, polychrome painted, gilded
Dimensions: H. 143.5 cm, W. 51.5 cm, from the bottom of the coat to the top of the crown: 115 cm
Accession Number: 67.119
Princely Figure with Winged Crown
Date: mid-11th century–mid-12th century
Geography: Iran
Culture: Islamic
Medium: Stucco; modeled, carved, polychrome painted, gilded
Dimensions: H. 119.4 cm, W. 52.1 cm, from the bottom of the coat to the top of the crown: 116.8 cm
Accession Number: 57.51.18
Source: metmuseum. & 2





Seljuk Illustrations of Costume & Soldiers