Arts of The Islamic World

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Lot 259
  • 259

A group of three Maghribi Printing Blocks with Prayers and Shia Inscriptions, North West Africa, 17th-19th century

Estimate
10,000 - 15,000 GBP
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Description

  • Metal and wood
each of rectangular form, each block with a carved metal panel with inscriptions in various scripts including square kufic, maghribi and thuluth, affixed to wood panels

Catalogue Note

The large print block:
In the centre: allah jalla jalaluhu
'Exalted be His Glory'

The inscriptions include: A prayer, the bismalah and salutations to the Prophet; Qur'an, chapters XVIII (al-Kahf), part of verse 39; III (Al 'Imran), part of verse 173; LXI (al-Saff), part of verse 13 and XLII (al-Shura), verse 19 and:

al-mulk li'llah al-malik al-wahid al-qahhar
'Sovereignty is God's, the One, the Subduer'

al-baraka al-kamila wa al-ni'ma ....
'Perfect Blessing and .... [God's] Grace'

In square kufic script:
baraka muhammad
'Blessing [of?] Muhammad'

The two smaller blocks:
asba' al-'uhud al-sulaymaniyya 'Solomon's Seven Pledges' reported to have been given to Solomon by a jinn for protection against all kinds of calamities and misfortune.

The sword of Imam 'Ali bears: 'There is no youth [as brave as] 'Ali, no sword [as sharp as] dhu'l-fqar'