Qajar Shiite Material Culture

This catalogue is one of the first visual representations of the material religion and art objects of Naser al-Din Shah’s court, vis à vis popular Shiite beliefs during the Naseri period (1848-1896). In this work, Pedram Khosronejad has paid special attention to the role of Naser al-Din Shah’s popular Shiite values in shaping attitudes toward the depiction in portraiture of the Prophet Mohammad and Imam Ali.

Khosronejad’s observations further confirm Naser al-Din Shah’s deep-rooted connections to popular Shiite beliefs and related superstitions, along with his interest in Shiite rituals and ceremonies.

Thierry Zarcone, Directeur de recherche, Groupe Sociétés, Religions, Laïcités, CNRS, France.