Publication Date
13th century AH/19AD
Publication Place
-
Islamic Museum
Subject
Engraved brass.
Type
Other
Language
Undetermined
Digital
Yes
Manuscript
No
Physical Dimensions
القطر: 16 سم
Library
Museum With No Frontiers
Library Asset ID
م/ح/11
Record ID
object;ISL;pa;Mus01;44;ar
Library Location
Islamic Museum
Date
13th century AH/19AD
Notes
A circular piece of copper with lines incised inside it that define a square whose corners intersect the perimeter of the piece. A drawing was drawn in the center of the piece that expresses the horizontal location of the Dome of the Rock building. This drawing consists of an octagonal shape with a circle in the middle in which what represents the footprint of the Prophet Muhammad (may God bless him and grant him peace) is drawn. Beneath the drawing is written “The Prophet’s Foot,” and above the drawing of the Prophet’s footprint is a small dome crowned with a crescent. A tree resembling a palm tree was drawn inside the circle, on each side of the drawing. It is not known what these two palm trees symbolize, and perhaps they were drawn simply to fill the void. Eight arches were drawn between the middle circle and the octagon, which express the inner octagon of the building. From the upper side of the octagon rises a drawing of the facade of the dome of the Dome of the Rock building, consisting of the neck of the dome and the dome, which is crowned by a large crescent in relation to its size. The drawing of the horizontal plan of the Dome of the Rock building and the facade of the building’s dome on three sides is surrounded by drawings of some buildings located near the Dome of the Rock building. Three drawings of the porticoes (scales) surrounding the Dome of the Rock building also appear, and they mostly include the southern portico that opens towards Al-Aqsa Mosque, the southwestern portico that opens towards Bab al-Silsilah, and the eastern portico that opens towards Bab al-Rahma, while the northern portico, which is obscured by the drawing of the dome and its crescent, is not shown. The names of the buildings are written on this ring next to their drawings, as the name of the Dome of the Rock and the names of its four gates appear: Gate of Paradise, Gate of Peace, Gate of the Rock, and Gate of the Balance. It also shows the names of the Minbar of Miraj, the Noble Pulpit (Burhan al-Din Pulpit), the Dome of Spirits, and the Court of David (the Dome of the Chain), each name next to the drawing it refers to. On the eastern side of the drawing of the horizontal plan of the Dome of the Rock building, a rose-like plant was drawn. It is worth noting that it is not known that such a plant exists to the east of the Dome of the Rock, as there were historically no plants at the level surrounding the Dome of the Rock. It is possible that this ring was used as an entry permit to the Dome of the Rock building, or perhaps it was used to seal visitors’ papers for the purpose of blessing or as a memorial of their visit to the Holy Mosque, or perhaps it was used as a brief guide to the visit.
Sample Text
Nazmi Al-Ju'beh "Dome of the Rock Ring" in Discover Islamic Art. Museum Without Borders, 2026. https://islamicart.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=object;ISL;pa;Mus01;44;ar
