Publication Place
-
Évora Museum (Yabora)
Subject
Carved marble.
Type
Other
Language
Undetermined
Digital
Yes
Manuscript
No
Physical Dimensions
العلو: 53 سم؛ العرض: 49 سم؛ السماكة: 4.5 سم
Library
Museum With No Frontiers
Library Asset ID
ME 1732
Record ID
object;ISL;pt;Mus01_C;34;ar
Library Location
Évora Museum (Yabora)
Notes
A rectangular monument that strikingly combines the beauty of decoration with a written approach to planning. This piece is organized according to an architectural model that contains a “symbolic” arch of interlocking lobes, the upper part of which ends with a band of Islamic merlons. Inside the arch, very delicate cursive writing blends with arabesque decorations. In the intervals between the columns and under a narrow rectangular frame, three lines of Naskh script appear marked by long vertical branches and the elongation of the final letters. This monument was first mentioned in 1788 when its presence was mentioned by the specialist in Arab civilization (Brother) Fray Jao de Sousa, and it was then displayed on one of the outer walls of the Bacchus do Conselho (Municipal Palace) in Évora. The English architect James Murphy saw it there after him, who copied it in a book he published in 1795 under the title Travels in Portugal. This inscription on the arch is cracked and somewhat erased, and was miscopied by Murphy, so it was only recently deciphered. The complete spelling was performed for the first time by A. R. Nickel in 1940, with reservations regarding the last two lines, give us the following meaning: “Every soul will taste death” (Qur’an, Sura Three, Verse 182). O visitor of (this grave), pray to God that He may forgive you and have mercy on your brother, and remember this journey (to the other world). Your soul is taken by your Lord, and its tyranny will not leave a trace in this simple grave. Whoever wronged (this world) must return to our master, that is, to God, To great mercy and generosity.”
Sample Text
Artur Goulart de Melo Borges “Funeral Monument” in Discover Islamic Art. Museum Without Borders, 2026. https://islamicart.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=object;ISL;pt;Mus01_C;34;ar
