A Calligraphic Marble Stele, North Africa or Andalusia, 11th/12th century

of columnar form with a bulbous finial, one side of middle section with an arched frieze containing a carved kufic inscription with upper ropework border and vegetal spandrels

In general good condition given age, various knocks and chips to extremities, hole to lower portion on the base, with fitted stand, as viewed.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

inscriptions

The epitaph indicates the burial of al-Shaykh al-Faqih. Other inscriptions include quotations from the bismillah, shahada, surah al-Ikhlas and tasliya.

The production of this type of funerary stele was largely confined to Tunisia during the eleventh-thirteenth centuries, and comprises a re-used late Roman or Byzantine column or colonnette, partly flattened to accommodate the carved kufic inscription. For published examples of cylindrical steles of this type, see exhibition catalogue De Carthage à Kairouan, Paris 1982, p.210, cat.280, and p.214, cat.284. A further stele of similar form, although earlier and with scrolling acanthus leaves deeply carved to the reverse, was sold in these rooms, 3rd of May 2006, lot 417 and is now in the Aga Khan Museum Collection (see exhibition catalogue Spirit & Life, Masterpieces of Islamic Art from the Aga Khan Museum Collection, Geneva, 2007, pp.68-69, no.42).