The Zarrinfam altar of the shrine of Imam Reza (AS) is one of the most prominent surviving works of religious tile art in Iran. The aim of this research is to examine and analyze the semantic and content layers of the inscriptions of this mihrab and to explain the relationship between the text, form, and its pilgrimage space. The main question of the research is: What semantic and content layers do the Zarrinfam inscriptions in the mihrab in front of the blessed Imam Reza (AS) have?
This research is applied in terms of purpose and descriptive-analytical in terms of method. The data were collected using library and field methods; in such a way that the images of the mihrab in the Astan Quds Razavi Museum were documented, the inscriptions were read piece by piece, and their text was matched with Quranic verses, hadiths, and prayer phrases. Then, the data were examined and analyzed in the form of content classification.
The findings of the research show that the inscriptions of the mihrab can be classified into five main groups, including Quranic verses, supplications and prayer phrases, moral-preaching phrases, historical inscriptions, and narrative inscriptions about the reward of visiting Imam Reza (AS). Quranic verses constitute the largest volume of the inscriptions and emphasize prayer, qibla, monotheism, faith, patience, and blessings upon the Prophet. In addition, the prayer for the founder, builder, and painter of the mihrab indicates the connection of art with servitude and an afterlife view of the artistic practice.