Pedram Khosronejad is a Research Fellow in the Department of Social Anthropology at the University of St Andrews, Scotland. He obtained his PhD at the Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales (EHESS) in Paris. His research interests include cultural and social anthropology, the anthropology of death and dying, visual anthropology, visual piety, devotional artefacts, and religious material culture, with a particular interest in Iran, Persianate societies and the Islamic world. He is the editor of several forthcoming publications: War in Iranian Cinema (I.B.Tauris); Women's Rituals and Ceremonies in Islamic Societies (C.I.U. and I.B.Tauris); and Unburied Memories: Martyrs' Grave Photographs and Funerary Memorial Objects (special issue of the Journal of Visual Anthropology on Iran). He is also chief editor of the Journal of Anthropology of the Middle East and Central Eurasia.

• PrefacePedram Khosronejad, University of St AndrewsIntroductionJames W. Allan, University of OxfordIcon and Contemplation: Between Popular Art and Sufism in Im?mi Shi’ism Mohammad Ali Amir-Moezzi, Ecole Pratique des Hautes EtudesThe Votive Image in Iranian Shi’ismIngvild Flaskerud, Centre for Peace Studies, University of TromsøThe Horse of Imam Hossein: Notes on the Iconography of Shi’i Devotional Posters from Pakistan and IndiaJürgen Wasim Frembgen, Museum of Ethnology, MunichPrayer and Prostration: Im?mi Shi’i Discussion of Al-Sujud ‘Al?al-Turba Al-HusayniyyaRobert Gleave, Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies, University of ExeterWhen Nubuvvat Encounters Vel?yat: Safavid Paintings of the Prophet Mohammad’s Mi’r?j, ca.1500-1550Christiane Gruber, Indiana UniversityFrom Orality to Visuality: Lions’ Representation in Bakhtiari Oral Tradition and Material CulturePedram Khosronejad, University of St AndrewsThe Pictorial Representation of Shi'i Themes in Lithographed Books of the Qajar PeriodUlrich Marzolph, Georg August UniversityCalligraphic Lions Symbolizing the Esoteric Dimension of ‘Ali’s NatureRaya Shani, Haifa UniversityThe Iconography of ‘Ali as the Lion of God in Shi’i Art and Material CultureFahmida Suleman, The Institute of Ismaili StudiesTalismans from the Iranian World: A Millenary TraditionZiva Vesel, French National Research CentreThe Lion of ‘Ali in Anatolia: History, Symbolism and Iconology Thierry Zarcone, GSRL, French National Research Centre

'Even many knowledgeable Islamic scholars are not aware of the richness of visual religious representation in Shi'i Islam. This book provides rare glimpses into this fascinating art, which, unlike in the Sunni world, is rich in the portrayal of human figures. One important focus of the book is the exploration of the enormous store of imagery surrounding the martyrdom of Imam Hoseyn, and rituals commemorating this central religious event. The international scope of the scholarship gives this book enormous richness. It should open many eyes to the complexity, beauty and meaning reflected in Shi'i art.' - Professor William O. Beeman, Department Chairperson, Department of Anthropology, University of Minnesota; 'This book provides a window onto the intersection of art and religious practice in Iran. Students of Iranian history of the past thousand years will find interesting explanations of common visual forms within the context of Shi'ism. However, unlike many books on historical subjects, this volume connects the material manifestations of Shi'ism with contemporary practice. Given the centrality of Shi'ism to modern Iranian politics and society, such a multidisciplinary approach will lead to a deeper understanding of the ways in which Shi'ism influences daily life today and the extent to which Shi'i traditions of the past inform those of the present.' - Sheila Canby, Patti Cadby Birch Curator in Charge, Department of Islamic Art, The Metropolitan Museum of Art