AN ALABASTER MIHRAB PANEL

AFGHANISTAN, CIRCA 11TH CENTURY

Details

AN ALABASTER MIHRAB PANEL
AFGHANISTAN, CIRCA 11TH CENTURY
Of rectangular form becoming slightly thinner towards the top, the face of the panel deeply carved with interlaced arabesques and split palmettes, their surfaces carved with similar detailing, undercut in places, framed above by a horseshoe-shaped arch with repeated angular kufic inscription supported on vase-shaped pillars carved with arabesques, traces of red and blue paint, top section missing, one side damaged
10½in. (26.5cm.) high

Lot Essay

The inscription around the mihrab arch is a repeat of al-mulk (the kingdom).

Despite being 2in. (5cm.) thick at the base, this panel is so deeply carved that the ground is translucent. With light behind, the design becomes silhouetted against the illumainated ground.

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