The Panel of Dervishes at the Tekkiyeh Moʿaven al-Molk in Kermanshah (Figure 1)

Abstract

ABSTRACT Tekkiyeh Moʿaven al-Molk in Kermanshah is a space for commemoration of the Battle of Karbala and is accordingly decorated with large narrative panels conceived in underglaze (haft rangi) tiles, depicting various episodes of the event. Amongst these is a large panel, covering a whole wall, depicting a number of dervishes in an architectural setting resembling one of the spaces of the Tekkiyeh. The imagery on the face of it has no relevance to the events of Karbala and seems to be outside the programme of decoration of the Tekkiyeh. This paper attempt to decipher the iconography of the representation, in order to come up with a rational for its inclusion within the programme of the decoration of the space which is concerned entirely with the Battle of Karbala.