A CAIROWARE SILVER AND COPPER-INLAID BRASS WRITING SLOPE
A CAIROWARE SILVER AND COPPER-INLAID BRASS WRITING SLOPE

EGYPT OR SYRIA, SECOND HALF 19TH CENTURY

Details
A CAIROWARE SILVER AND COPPER-INLAID BRASS WRITING SLOPE
EGYPT OR SYRIA, SECOND HALF 19TH CENTURY
Of typical form, with opening panel revealing a slope, a concealed set of drawers beneath, and an inner pen case fitted with a silver-topped glass inkwell
14 3/8 x 11 5/8 x 4 ¾in. (36.5 x 29.5 x 12cm.)
Engraved
On the top: ya ghaffar al-dhunub, 'O Forgiver of sins!'
Below this: al-a‘mal fi al-niyyat, 'The [value of] works is in the intentions'
On the back: bi’l-shukr tadum al-ni‘am, '[God’s] favours last through gratitude'
On the left side: al-najah bi’l-sidq, 'Salvation is through sincerity'
On the right side: min fadl rabbi, 'Through the grace of my Lord'
In the two cartouches on the front: al-‘ilm li’l-faqir mal wa li’l-ghani jamal, ' Knowledge is wealth for the poor man and beauty for the rich man'

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