Jali screen

Title
Jali screen
Year/Period
1305 AH/ 1887-1888 CE
Region
India
Object Type
Material
Dimension
Object size: L 94.5 x W 2.6 x H 53
Accession No.
1998-00877

Jali (lattice work) screens are used in many Islamic buildings in India for practical and decorative purposes. As windows, they help cut out the glare yet allow air circulation. Jali screens are usually decorated with geometric motifs. The ones with calligraphic inscriptions are less common. This sandstone ‘jali’ screen features a calligraphic inscription in ‘nastaliq’ script. The inscription which is surrounded and interwoven with floral scrolls, reads: “God, Praise be to God, Faisal i Khan, the year AH 1305.”