Title
Calligraphic wooden panel
Year/Period
19th century
Region
Morocco, North Africa
Material
Dimension
Object size: L 87 x H 164 x W 2.7
Accession No.
1999-00212
Collection of
This wooden panel is part of a set of three panels, probably fragments from a wooden door. Painted with polychrome colours, some parts are highlighted with inlays of silver sheet, which are slightly tarnished. Each panel is decorated with a mihrab (prayer niche) arch shape framed by a calligraphic border on three sides. The cursive inscriptions are written over a background of scrolling arabesque (stylised plant motif). The mihrab arch is quite a popular motif in North Africa. The border inscriptions contain benedictory inscriptions, for example, "Mirth and Joy in all affairs,Happiness and wholesomeness,and the attainment of desires...Glory and attainment of desires."These panels were probably used in a home.
