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Fragmentary Bowl with Pseudo-Arabic inscription (DO BZ.1985.23)

39447
By: Abigail Koczko '24 


The most prominent features of this bowl are its cobalt and gold luster and its pseudo-Arabic inscription. Pseudo-Arabic means that these inscriptions are not legible Arabic; they are imitations of Arabic letters without any meaning.  The pseudo-Arabic inscription on the inner section of the bowl suggests it is a Byzantine, crusader, or Frankish imitation of Islamic art. However, some Islamic objects also make use of pseudo-Arabic inscriptions. Arabic inscriptions in Islamic art were common, for the language was very important to Muslims. Many non-Muslims also appreciated Arabic  and pseudo-Arabic inscriptions.

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