Publication Date
17th century
Publication Place
-
Al-Khalili Family Trust - Nasser D. Collection. Al-Khalili Islamic Art
Type
Other
Language
Undetermined
Digital
Yes
Manuscript
No
Library
Museum With No Frontiers
Library Asset ID
TXT 233
Record ID
object;EPM;uk;Mus21;41;ar
Library Location
Al-Khalili Family Trust - Nasser D. Collection. Al-Khalili Islamic Art
Date
17th century
Notes
The banner combines Qur’anic verses, hadiths, and religious sayings with numerical magic squares. The main inscription band is written in a script with elements from the inscriptional third of Surah Al-Fath (No. 48), verses 1-16, in the form of parts. It is framed along the edge of the banner by a series of lobed medallions set on a silver ground and surrounding magic squares. In the center there is a large magic square 101 x 101 and a square 41 x 41. The remaining spaces are filled with decorative elements arranged symmetrically along the vertical axis. Its texts include the Shahada, the Basmala, Qur’anic verses, some beautiful names, and the names of the Prophet Muhammad and Ali (arranged to form a human face). This is known as the “Calling Ali” quatrain. The arrangement of the decorative elements in the lower half of the flag is reminiscent of the standard upper section (the flag). There is also a Dhu al-Fiqar, a two-pronged sword given by the Prophet Muhammad. Date and place of manufacture of the piece (optional): A number of the graphic decorative elements on the flag have parallels in all Ottoman and Indian art, but the pattern seen here in connection with the colors used and the main line of the inscription indicates that its origin is from the Deccan.
Sample Text
“Talismanic Banner/Talismanic Banners” within Discover Islamic Art Collections. Museum Without Borders, 2026. https://islamicart.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=object;EPM;uk;Mus21;41;ar
