International Shia News Agency
All NewsArtsAsia-PacificFeatured 2NEWS BRIEFSOther News

Inscriptions on Chinese ‘swatow’ dish, include the word ‘Allah’

SHAFAQNA – Islamic Arts : Coarsely potted and covered with a thick, crackled glaze, this dish belongs to a distinct group of porcelain, the so-called ‘Swatow wares’. Swatow is a Dutch mistranslation of Shantou, the port from which such ceramics were supposedly exported, although this port was actually not used until the Qing dynasty (1644 –1912).

Recent archaeological research by Chinese scholars has established that Swatow wares were produced in Zhangzhou prefecture between the mid-sixteenth and mid-seventeenth centuries for export to Europe, Japan and South East Asia.

Dishes similar to this one appeared in Indonesia and are believed to have been commissioned by the powerful seventeenth-century Shia sultans of Aceh in northwest Sumatra, including Sultan Iskander Muda (1607–1636) (Canepa 2006, no. 40).

The inscriptions on this dish include invocations to Allah, verses from the Quran, including Sura al-Baqara, al-Ikhlas (Fidelity) and al-Nas (The People), the Nad-i Ali prayer and the word ‘Allah’ which is repeated along the cavetto of the dish. The inscriptions are talismanic, seeking protection and assistance for the owner.

 

Read more from Shafaqna:

Ring with “for Allah” inscription found in Viking grave

Calligraphy – an Islamic Art

Construction Workers In Spain Find 1,300 Pounds Of Ancient Roman Coins

Related posts

[Video] Commentary of Surah Al-Baqarah, Verses 183-185

parniani

The Quran Graph: “And seek help through patience and prayer…”

parniani

[Exclusive Video] Recitation of the Holy Quran (2:183-185)

parniani

The Quran graph: “Muhammad, the Apostle of Allah (SWT)”

asadian

[Exclusive Video] Recitation of Holy Surah Al-Mursalat

parniani

The Quran graph: “And indeed you possess a great character”

asadian

Leave a Comment