The well of this colourful bowl features a design of six radiating segments of split palmettes in blue, black and turquoise colours. There is a circular band of black inscriptions on the inner wall near the rim, which contain the repetition of the word ‘al-barakah’ (blessings). Inscriptions on everyday objects are usually benedictory – asking for blessings, happiness and prosperity.Calligraphy has always been considered the noblest and most featured art in the world of Islam as it transmits the Divine Revelations from God. As one of the main decorative forms in Islamic art, calligraphy can be found a variety of media—from manuscripts to large inscriptions on stone or on ceramics such as this.
