Finial with Arabic Inscription"Ya, Da'im" ("Oh, Everlasting!")
Unknown Artist
17th century
Medium
Steel; inlaid with gold on front and silver foil overlay on reverse
Dimensions
H. (with brackets) 7 3/4 in. (19.7 cm) H. (w/o brackets) 7 3/8 in. (18.7 cm) Gr. W. 4 5/8 in. (11.8 cm) W. (at bottom) 4 7/8 in. (12.4 cm)
Classification
Metal
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Nasser D. Khalili, in honor of his son, Daniel Jonathan Khalili, 1982
Accession Number
1982.75
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite 17th-century finial, crafted from steel and adorned with intricate gold inlay on the front and silver foil overlay the reverse, exemplifies the masterful metalworking traditions of Islamic art. Measuring about 7½ inches tall with its decorative brackets, it likely crowned a architectural element, such as a tent pole, standard, or pinnacle, adding both elegance and symbolism to its setting. The prominent Arabic calligraphy reads "Ya, Da'im"—"Oh, Everlasting!"—a invocation of eternity, reflecting the spiritual depth woven into everyday Islamic decorative objects. In the opulent c...