The Dūstkāmis, Preserved in the Astan Quds Razavi Museum

The spiritual status of Imam Reza Holy Shrine has led the Muslim devotees to present a wide variety of artistically and ritually exquisite handicrafts to the shrine complex; among them is a collection of metalwork called Dūstkāmis, which were filled with liquids such as drinking water, sherbet, etc. to be dispensed to the guests, pilgrims and Khādims during the religious ceremonies. Dūstkāmis were in use in Dar-az-Ziafat, Sherbet-Khāna and Mihmān-Sira of the shrine, in which free food and drinks were served. Since no research has been conducted on the function and use, the construction techniques and the designs and motifs of these vessels, this paper was written to introdue this collection descriptively based on field research, library sources and historical records. All the studied samples are made of copper and decorated with engraved motifs and inscriptions. There are three types of motifs: real, imaginary and decorative. Real motifs can be examined in three groups: vegetal and figural representations of human and animals. Imaginary motifs include animal-headed humans, human-headed animals and mythical creatures such as demon-like humans. In addition, decorative motifs are divided into two groups: abstract vegetal motifs and separating decorative motifs. The inscriptions on the vessels include salutations upon the Fourteen Infallibles, poems, the name of the endower, the construction and the endowment date, and in some cases the inscriptions and motifs tell a related story.