A CARVED BLACK BASALT TOMBSTONE

細節

A CARVED BLACK BASALT TOMBSTONE
ARABIA, AH 582/1186 AD

Of irregular outline, one side with a flat face engraved with an inscription in two sizes of elegant naskh on a stippled ground, on a panel with horseshoe arch above, further inscriptions around the arch, the spandrels with floral motifs, in a border of further naskh inscriptions
text 16½ x 10in. (42 x 25cm.); stone 26 x 14in. (65 x 35cm.)

拍品專文

The inscription records the name of the deceased as Shaikh 'Abd al-Malik b. Muhammad al-Dimishqi al-N[u]ri who died on 17 Jumada II AH 582 (4 September 1186AD).

This type of tombstone is typical of those found on the Island of Dahlak in the Red Sea. Two other examples are exhibited in the British Museum, one dated 1188 (no.1928.3-51), the other 1210 (no.1928.3-52). A further example, now in the Khalili Collection, was sold in these Rooms, 9 October 1990, lot 83.