Publication Date
The beginning of the sixth century AH / the beginning of the twelfth century AD
Publication Place
-
Museum of Civilizations / Museum of Oriental Arts
Subject
Marble, a little off-putting
Type
Other
Language
Undetermined
Digital
Yes
Manuscript
No
Physical Dimensions
الارتفاع: 73 سم، العرض: 58 سم، السماكة: 5.5 سم
Library
Museum With No Frontiers
Library Asset ID
IsIAO 8414
Record ID
object;EPM;it;Mus22;2;ar
Library Location
Museum of Civilizations / Museum of Oriental Arts
Date
The beginning of the sixth century AH / the beginning of the twelfth century AD
Notes
It is possible that the slab was part of an alabaster base excavated in one of the rooms surrounding the central courtyard of the palace. It was found in front of opening No. 21 of the southern façade of the courtyard, the center of which (the iwan) allowed access to the throne room. The base was divided into three horizontal bands. The central band has an architectural decorative motif composed of two opposing trefoil arches that are connected via parts of bi- and tri-lobed palmettes. The lower horizontal band features two vines intertwined with arabesque leaves, while the upper band contains an exquisite layout in lush Kufic calligraphy. The writing on the plaque is in Arabic and reads, “(In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful).” In the past, it was believed that this inscription was part of the text, about 250 cm long, which opens along the four facades of the courtyard with poetry praising the Ghaznavid sultans and the grandeur of the palace itself. But the different dimensions of the tiles bearing the poetry could cast doubt on this assumption. Unfortunately, the color is no longer present on the once complete, richly colored slab that is now missing. But we know from the slight remaining traces of color that the pigment used for writing was azure while the background surrounding the letters was vermilion. According to Umberto Serrato, it was actually a red color (bole), which was used as a preparation before being camouflaged with gold paint so that it looked like a gilded manuscript.
Sample Text
Michael Jung “Architectural element, plinth” in Explore Islamic Art Collections. Museum Without Borders, 2026. https://islamicart.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=object;EPM;it;Mus22;2;ar
