Publication Date
Tenth century AD
Publication Place
-
Al-Khalili Family Trust - Nasser D. Collection. Al-Khalili Islamic Art
Type
Other
Language
Undetermined
Digital
Yes
Manuscript
No
Physical Dimensions
2.7 × 2.7 × 2.7 سم
Library
Museum With No Frontiers
Library Asset ID
MXD 56
Record ID
object;EPM;uk;Mus21;21;ar
Library Location
Al-Khalili Family Trust - Nasser D. Collection. Al-Khalili Islamic Art
Date
Tenth century AD
Notes
This magnificent inkwell is an exceptional specimen of medieval Islamic hard stone carving. The contemporary use of semi-precious metals and stones all leads back to the use of agate, which has been popular for making small vessels since classical times but which, compared to rock crystal and chrysanthemum, has barely survived. The sides of the inkwell bear the basmalah and a Qur’anic inscription from Surah Al-Kahf (No. 18), verse 109, which is beautifully fitting. It reads: “If the sea were ink for the words of my Lord, the sea would run out before the words of my Lord ran out, even if we brought something like it as ink.”
Sample Text
"Inkwell" within Discover Islamic Art Collections. Museum Without Borders, 2026. https://islamicart.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=object;EPM;uk;Mus21;21;ar
