Fals of Nasir al-Din Artuq Arslan 1214 - 1215

Curator: Here we have a Fals coin, minted by Nasir al-Din Artuq Arslan. It's currently housed in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It's striking! The patina gives it this ghostly, ancient allure. I'm immediately drawn to the contrast between the figural and calligraphic sides. Curator: Indeed. Structurally, observe the clean lines of the face versus the more abstract text. The coin compels consideration of figuration's role in Islamic art. Editor: Absolutely, and the very act of placing a ruler’s image on currency speaks to power, identity, and the projection of self within a broader socio-political landscape. What was Arslan trying to communicate? Curator: We can only speculate, but the coin's composition serves as a potent reminder of art's function in asserting dominion. Editor: It makes you think about how little things speak volumes about larger power structures. Curator: Precisely, and appreciating this tiny object refines our vision in the grand gallery.