epigraphic frieze

MN-426

Object type frieze

Culture/period Andalusian culture

Materials plaster

Technique spatula

Mint

Production date 1031 / 1036

Museum Museu de la Noguera

Current location Exposició permanent

Archaeological site Castell Formós

Township Balaguer (Europa, Espanya, Catalunya, Lleida, Noguera)

Dimensions 385 x 405 x 200 mm

Description

Plasterwork fragment containing an epigraphic frieze. Three vertical epigraphic characters structure it into four compartments. The bottom of the text is decorated with an uninterrupted arabesque of which the two main stems, one of them making a spiral with two turns, have been preserved. Leaves and palmettes emerge from the stems and fill the inter-epigraphic spaces. The baseline of the letters is the lower frame of the frieze. The evidence of the trace of three high letters, the head of which touches the upper bar of the frieze, emphasize the verticality of the composition. G. Kircher made the following interpretation: from right to left, FA or initial or medial QAF with the upper part of the pointed body; final LAM; initial SIN which connects with a medial LAM. To the left, remains of an MIM join the base line. The low end of the final LAM is joined to the bottom frame of the frieze, and is worked like the upper end of the line and the same occurs with the start of the ALIF in the baseline. The words of this fragment allow the following interpretation: "I have fully submitted to God"(from the Quran, Surah 3, Verse 20).

Omeka ID 342