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The Kufic Inscriptions of Kisimkazi Mosque, Zanzibar, 500 H. (A.D. 1107)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 March 2011

S. Flury
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Extract

Our knowledge of ornamental Kufic inscriptions is chiefly based on the materials which have been found in Egypt, Syria, Asia Minor, and Upper Mesopotamia. Although they are fairly numerous, a comparative study of the origin and general development of the different types of Kufic writing is not yet possible. Such a work would have to include the countries further East, and unfortunately they have not been thoroughly explored hitherto. But the few landmarks we possess show clearly that the outlying Eastern provinces produced a greater variety of decorative inscriptions than the West ever did.

Type
Articles
Information
Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society , Volume 54 , Issue 2 , April 1922 , pp. 257 - 264
Copyright
Copyright © The Royal Asiatic Society 1922

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References

page 257 note 1 Cf. Islam, , viii, 1918, p. 214 seq.Google Scholar; Diez, E., “Churasanische Baudenkmäler, arab. Inschriften von M. van Berchem”Google Scholar; and Viollet, H., “un monument des premiers siècles de l'hégire en Perse,” Revue Syria, 1921, pl. xxxii–xxxiv.Google Scholar

page 257 note 2 A description of this mosque is to be found in Zanzibar, the island metropolis of Eastern Africa, by Pearce, F. B., pp. 418–9.Google Scholar

page 258 note 1 It may be due to the restoration of 1184 h. (a.h. 1770) recorded by a naskhi inscription of the miḥrâb, cf. loc. cit. inscription 3.

page 258 note 2 This word has been kindly suggested by Mr. W. Marçais.

page 260 note 1 According to Aly Bey Bahgat this verse is frequently to be found in tombs of saints.

page 260 note 2 Kind communication of Mr. R. Guest and Professor Snouck Hurgronje.

page 260 note 3 Cf. Pearce, F. B., loc. cit., p. 419 top.Google Scholar

page 260 note 4 A, B represent the characters of Plates I and II, C those of Plates III and IV.

page 261 note 1 Cf. Flury, , Die Ornamente, der Hakim und Ashar Moschee, pl. xviiiGoogle Scholar, and Creswell, A., A brief Chronology of the Muḥammadan Monuments of Egypt, pi. iv, A.Google Scholar

page 262 note 1 The same observation applies to the architectural features of the miḥrâb (cf. Plate III); they at once recall a well-known series of miḥrâbs, one of the oldest of which is to be found in the mosque of Ibn Ṭûlûn at Cairo.

page 263 note 1 Cf. loc. cit., p. 418.

page 263 note 2 Cf. Flury, , Islamische Schriftbänder, Amida-Diarbekr, p. 31Google Scholar; translated into French in the Revue Syria, vol. ii, p. 61.Google Scholar

page 263 note 3 Cf. loc. cit., pl. x.

page 264 note 1 Cf. Diez, E., Churasanische Baudenkmäler, Plates II and III.Google Scholar

page 264 note 2 Cf. Flury, , Islamische Schriftänder, Plates XIV, 1, 4, 7, 15, 16 f., and lâm-alif.Google Scholar

page 264 note 3 Cf. loc. cit., p. 51.