This item has been added to the Database within the Explore Islamic Art Collections project. Information is available in: English, Arabic.

Name of Object:

Mihrab (prayer niche)

Location:

Honolulu, Hawai'i, United States of America

Holding Museum:

Shangri La, Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art

About Shangri La, Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art, Honolulu, Hawai'i

Date of Object:

Dated hegira Sha'ban 663 / AD May 1265

Museum Inventory Number:

48.327

Material(s) / Technique(s):

Stonepaste; molded, overglaze-painted in luster, underglaze-painted in cobalt and turquoise

Dimensions:

Overall: 384.5 x 228.6 x 21.6 cm

Period / Dynasty:

Ilkhanid

Provenance:

Iran, Kashan

Description:

This mihrab, nearly 12 feet tall and dated 663/1265, is the masterpiece of the DDFIA collection. It is one of six surviving luster mihrabs made during the Ilkhanid period of rule in Iran (1256–1353) and one of only two of its type outside of Iran. Originally, it was located in the Imamzada Yahya, a tomb of a descendant of a Shi‘ite imam in Veramin, Iran. In the tomb’s prayer sanctuary, the mihrab was located on the qibla wall—the one indicating the direction of Mecca.

Citation of this web page:

 "Mihrab (prayer niche)" in Explore Islamic Art Collections. Museum With No Frontiers, 2025.
https://islamicart.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=object;EPM;us;Mus22;27;en

MWNF Working Number: US2 27