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Manuscript/Mixed Material Levha (panel praising 'Ali)

About this Item

Title

  • Levha (panel praising 'Ali)

Created / Published

  • 18th-19th centuries

Headings

  • -  Calligraphy, Arabic
  • -  Calligraphy, Persian
  • -  Manuscripts, Arabic--Washington (D.C.)
  • -  India
  • -  Arabic script calligraphy
  • -  Illuminated Islamic manuscripts
  • -  Islamic calligraphy
  • -  Islamic manuscripts
  • -  Nasta'liq

Notes

  • -  Framed calligraphic inscription called a Levha, In Arabic. Written in Nasta'liq script in a Shi'i milieu, most likely in India during the 18th-19th centuries.
  • -  'Ali is described as the rightful Vice Regent of the Prophet Muhammad (i.e., Mustafa), a ruler of men and spirits, and a true manifestation of prophethood. This invocation to the son-in-law of the Prophet shows that the piece must have been produced in a Shi'i milieu, most likely in India during the 18th-19th centuries. The panel may have been included in an album of calligraphies or put on display on a wall.
  • -  Dimensions of Written Surface: 33.4 (w) x 21 (h) cm
  • -  This calligraphic panel is written in black nasta'liq on a brown surface and framed by two borders in plain green and blue decorated with gold stars. The inscription provides an invocation of 'Ali through his many epithets:
  • -  Wali imam al-ins wa al-jinnah haqqan al-Mustafa / The Sucessor of the Leader of Humankind and Spirits, the Mustafa in Reality
  • -  Script: nasta'liq
  • -  1-04-713.19.28

Medium

  • 1 volume ; 37.4 (w) x 25.4 (h) cm

Repository

  • Library of Congress African and Middle Eastern Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA

Digital Id

Library of Congress Control Number

  • 2019714533

Online Format

  • pdf
  • image

Additional Metadata Formats

IIIF Presentation Manifest

Rights & Access

The contents of the Library of Congress Selections of Arabic, Persian, and Ottoman Calligraphy are in the public domain or have no known copyright restrictions and are free to use and reuse.

Credit Line: Library of Congress, African and Middle East Division, Near East Section Persian Manuscript Collection

Cite This Item

Citations are generated automatically from bibliographic data as a convenience, and may not be complete or accurate.

Chicago citation style:

Levha panel praising 'Ali. 18th-19th Centuries. Manuscript/Mixed Material. https://www.loc.gov/item/2019714533/.

APA citation style:

Levha panel praising 'Ali. 18th-19th Centuries. [Manuscript/Mixed Material] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/2019714533/.

MLA citation style:

Levha panel praising 'Ali. 18th-19th Centuries. Manuscript/Mixed Material. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, <www.loc.gov/item/2019714533/>.