Dado Panel

Unknown

10th century · Stucco; carved, with some cast plaster elements · Islamic Art

The writing on this panel reads al-akhirin, or "posterity." As the last word in the Qur'anic verse 26:4 ("And ordain for me a goodly mention among posterity"), its presence here may indicate that the rest of this inscription once went around the room where the panel was found. Although calligraphy adorned several of the buildings at Nishapur, this panel was the only inscribed architectural panel found in a domestic setting, perhaps indicating the building was also used for religious purposes.

Artist

Unknown

Date

10th century

Medium

Stucco; carved, with some cast plaster elements

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Rogers Fund, 1937