Calligraphic Roundel, inscribed "Ya 'Aziz" (Oh Mighty)
Unknown Artist
late 16th–early 17th century
Medium
Sandstone; carved, traces of pigment
Dimensions
D. 1 3/16 in. (3 cm) Diam. 18 1/2 in. (47 cm) Wt. 10 lbs. (4.5 kg)
Classification
Stone
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Edward Pearce Casey Fund, 1985
Accession Number
1985.240.1
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite *Calligraphic Roundel, "Ya 'Aziz" (Oh Mighty)* a delicate sandstone panel from the late 16th early 17th century crafted in the Islamic artistic tradition. an impressive 18½ inches diameter but just 1⅛ inches thick and weighing only 10 pounds, its lightweight form it was designed for architecturalishment—perhaps adorning a mosque, palace, or tomb. The central inscription, one of the 99 beautiful names of Allah meaning "The Mighty" or "The Exalted invokes divine power and protection, a common motif in Islamic devotional art. Carved with masterful precision, the roundel showcases ...