Ghaznavid Bronze Dish with Kufic Inscriptions
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A Persian inscribed high tin bronze dish, probably Ghaznavid (977-1186), circa 12th century, with a wide t-section rim deeply engraved with three foliate Kufic inscriptions, the centre decorated simply with lathed concentric circles. 4.5 cm high, 37 cm diameter
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- Kufic Script - Kufic script is an Arabic script that was first developed in the city of Kufa, Iraq in the 7th century. It is one of the oldest forms of Arabic calligraphy and is characterized by its angular, geometric shapes and its lack of diacritical marks, such as vowel signs.
Kufic script was widely used for writing religious texts, including the Quran, and was also used for inscriptions on public buildings and monuments throughout the Islamic world. Its simple, bold design made it easy to read from a distance, and its geometric patterns and shapes were seen as a reflection of the order and harmony of the universe.
Kufic script is still used in Islamic calligraphy and design, and it remains an important part of Islamic art and culture. Its bold, geometric design has also influenced modern graphic design and typography. - Foliate - Decorated with leaves or leaf-like forms.
- Circa - A Latin term meaning 'about', often used in the antique trade to give an approximate date for the piece, usually considered to be five years on either side of the circa year. Thus, circa 1900 means the piece was made about 1900, probably between 1895 and 1905. The expression is sometimes abbreviated to c.1900.
- Bronze - An alloy of copper and tin, traditionally in the proportions of about 9 parts of copper to 1 part of tin.
The discovery of bronze in Western Asia in the 4th century enabled people to create metal objects which were superior to those previoulsy possible because of its strength and hardness, and it has been used throughout the world for weapons, coins, tools, statuary and other decorative items.
It is very fluid in a molten state, and its hardness, strength when set, and non-corrosive properties makes it most suitable for casting sculpture.
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