Stone

Stones such as marble, red limestone and black veined alabaster were used in the Islamic Art and Architecture. Art historians have found through the years a vast variety of decorative and symbolic works of art carved in stone. Generally, the architectonical motifs are richly carved with precious details. We can also experience that Islamic craftsmen continuously used calligraphy on their works. (Gardner's art through the ages: a global history by Kleiner, Fred S.)  A good example of the latter is this image of a “Slab” which can be found in the “Museo Nazionale Orientale Di Roma”. The observer appreciates geometric plant-like forms carved on a block of marble in low relief. We can divide the work of art into three parts; the artist uses calligraphy to frame the top part of the slab with the inscription in Arabic of “Nel nome di Dio il Clemente, il Misericordioso” which means “In the name of God the Compassionate, the Merciful”; the middle section is filled with twisted trefoil shapes, which one can see in many other similar works; the next and last part is composed by a thin band representing palm branches. This work dates from the XI to the XII and belonged to the “Palazzo di Mas’ Ud III” in Ghazni Afghanistan. From my personal opinion, the work brings to my mind: the mesmerizing palace of the “Alhambra” in Granada, Spain.

 (Gocciolatoio/Tavola offertoria. VII - VI A.C) 

Furthermore, another good example of the stone Art represented in Islamic culture is this second image “Gocciolatoio/Tavola offertoria” made out of red limestone in Yemen. It belongs to the VII – VI a.C period. The name of the work translated to English is “Drip offertory table” which tells us that this particular piece of work, representing the head of an animal, was created for sacred means. The breach on top of its head must have been carved with the purpose of making some liquid pass through it. However, its composition is simple except for the geometrical carved incisions, which define the animal’s features. 

Gabriela Valero