PERIOD: | 11th/12th Century, |
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ORIGIN: | Probably Egypt/North Africa |
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DIMENSIONS: | 2 Cm Height 23 Cm. Max. Diam |
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Description: | IN A MANNER OF FATIMID CARVED MARBLE FINIAL NORTH AFRICA,11TH/ 12TH CENTURYOf cylindrical form, carved with a wide band of floriated Kufic inscriptions in relief, a plain band above and below, the base carved with the Star Of David. |
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Footnote: | Inscriptions: The Shahada:‘There is no god but God, Muhammad (is) the Messenger of God.’The use of floriated Kufic script on marble was common and widespread in Fatimid North Africa, often carved in high relief and adopting many styles. Two marble panels display a similar elegant and angular inscription to our object, one in the Pergamon Museum, Berlin (inv. no.I.4466) and the other in the Islamic Art Museum in Cairo (inv. no.15551/3), both dated to the tenth/eleventh century. Later examples from Egypt include an eleventh century cenotaph frieze also in Cairo (inv. no.2908) and a twelfth century funerary stele in the al-Sabah collection, Kuwait (inv. no.LNS 16 S) (both published in Trésors Fatimides du Caire’s exhibition catalogue, 1998, cat. no.109 & 110, pp.164-5). Other examples can be found in Tunisia, such as the eleventh century commemorative plaque and epigraphic frieze a in the Raqqada Islamic Museum of Islamic Arts, Kairouan (inv. no.MR 003 & MR 010). |
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Condition report: | In adequate condition, some scratches along the edges, and numerous areas are coated with a delicate layer of colures dyed possibly corresponding to minor retouches, and insignificant cracks along the surface, as viewed. |
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PROVENANCE: | A European Private Collections, henceforth to the current owner. |
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CERTIFICATE: | Comes with a certificate from the Art Loss Register | |
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