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Source Description
This fragment preserves a wide central band flanked by narrower inscription bands. The narrower bands contain, on a dark blue background a continuous inscription in elaborate Kufic, the ivory-colored lettering oriented at right angles to the warp. On the wider ivory panel there appear ovals enclosing a frieze of running animals within which are hexagons enclosing stars. The ovals alternate vertically with cartouches containing an inscription in simple Kufic, the design appearing in blue, pink, and ivory.
Scholar Source Context
Document identity
localId
130610
label
Fragment with running animal roundels and kufic inscriptions
core
obj
dtoType
object
pageCount
1
Source metadata
id
130610
contentType
object
title
Fragment with running animal roundels and kufic inscriptions
description
This fragment preserves a wide central band flanked by narrower inscription bands. The narrower bands contain, on a dark blue background a continuous inscription in elaborate Kufic, the ivory-colored lettering oriented at right angles to the warp. On the wider ivory panel there appear ovals enclosing a frieze of running animals within which are hexagons enclosing stars. The ovals alternate vertically with cartouches containing an inscription in simple Kufic, the design appearing in blue, pink, and ivory.
date
1530–1950 (radiocarbon date, 95% probability)
rights
CC0
rightsUri
CC0
language
en
wikidata
Q79912540
genreSpecific
Textile
imageCount
1
source
import
dimensionsRaw
Overall: 35.3 x 25 cm (13 7/8 x 9 13/16 in.)
cul
Iran, in the style of the Buyid period (945–1055)
accession
1953.331
Source extras
tec
Silk: lampas weave, brocaded
tombstone
Fragment with running animal roundels and kufic inscriptions, 1530–1950 (radiocarbon date, 95% probability). Iran, in the style of the Buyid period (945–1055). Silk: lampas weave, brocaded; overall: 35.3 x 25 cm (13 7/8 x 9 13/16 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund, 1953.331
collection
T - Islamic
inscriptions
inscription
[daygha]m wa-kam asadan rawwa'a juhur kilab aya asadan fi jismihi ruh. . .
inscription_translation
Left vertical band:
. . .[lio]n. And how many lions have reflected upon the baying [literally: loud voices] of dogs! Oh lion, in his [i.e., the dog's] body is the spirit. . .
inscription
. . .aya asadan fi jismihi ruh daygham wa-kam asadan rawwa'a [ju]hur kilab aya asadan fi. . .
inscription_translation
Right vertical band: . . .Oh lion, in his body is the spirit of a lion. And how many lions have reflected upon the [ba]ying of the dogs! Oh lion in . . .
inscription
inni i'taqadtu bi-wa'idka wa-'adlika
inscription_translation
Center panel cartouches. Top line (retrograde): I am convinced of what Thou hast threatened and of Thy justice.
inscription
wa-arhab ihsanika [wa-fad]lika
inscription_translation
Center panel cartouches. Bottom line (retrograde): And of Thy most ample well-doing and grace.
citations
citation
Blair, Sheila S., Jonathan M. Bloom, and Anne E. Wardwell. "Reevaluating the Date of the "Buyid" Silks by Epigraphic and Radiocarbon Analysis." <em>Ars Orientalis</em> 22 (1992): 1-41.
page_number
Reproduced: p. 34; Mentioned: p. 15
citation
Mackie, Louise W. <em>Symbols of Power: Luxury Textiles from Islamic Lands, 7th-21st Century</em>. Cleveland; New Haven: Cleveland Museum of Art; Yale University Press, 2015.
page_number
Reproduced: P.154, fig. 4b; Mentioned: P. 154-155
creditline
Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund
updatedAt
2026-05-29 06:45:20.583000
sourceId
130610
dept
Textiles
coll
T - Islamic
med
Silk: lampas weave, brocaded
thumbnail_url
image_url
Single page context
seq
1
pageIndex
0
type
photo
mediaId
04e222c1f240befd