printed document on paper, the main text in nasta'liq and naskhi script, surmounted by a photographic portrait of Reza Shah Pahlavi surrounded by trophies and other martial symbols, the other borders composed of scenes of the Iranian army in combat and on manoeuvres, some creasing, framed
585 x 425 mm.

Footnotes

The diploma is signed by three different army officers of the faculty including Major General (sar lashgar) Shaqaqi, Major (sargord) Arfa' and Captain (sarvan) Daftari.

The document is an interesting example of the iconography in use under Reza Shah Pahlavi, outlining his achievements in the fields of industry and the military establishment, depicted in the borders. In addition the document confines itself to the use of verses from the Shahnamah rather than any Arabic phrases (in fact there is absolutely no reference to anything Islamic), emphasising the secularising and nationalistic tendencies of the regime and of the dynasty.

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Matthew Thomas

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