Fragment of Tomb Cover

before 1955

Maker Unknown

Textiles

Fragment of Tomb Cover, before 1955. Iran or Iraq. Silk: double-face compound twill; overall: 78.1 x 66 cm (30 3/4 x 26 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund 1955.52

Original Source

Maker/Artist: Maker Unknown
Classification: Textile
Formatted Medium: Silk: double-face compound twill
Medium: silk, double-face, compound, twill
Dimensions: Overall: 78.1 x 66 cm (30 3/4 x 26 in.)
Inscribed: Inscription: [al-maw]t bab wa-kull al-nas dakhiluhu ya layta shi-ri ba'd al-bab ma al-d[ar] Translation: Inscription on the right side: [Dea]th is a gate and all men enter it; Oh that I know what the abode beyond the gate is! Remark: The vertical inscription band in Kufic is a verse by the poet Abu'l-Atahiya. Inscription: inna a[l-dar ja]nnah khalid[ah] in 'amilta bi-ma yardá al-Ilah wa-in qasarta fal-nar Translation: Inscription on the left side: Verily, t[he abode is a gar]den eternal if thou has done what was pleasing to God; but if thou has fallen short, then it is the Fire [for thee]! Inscription: fi sanati thaman wa-thamanin wa-thal[a]thami'ah Translation: In the year three hundred and eighty-eight Remark: Kufic inscription near the top in dark brown. The year 388 is equivalent to 998 on the Gregorian calendar.
Departments: Textiles
Accession Number: 1955.52
Credit Line: Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund
Exhibitions: <em>Woven Treasures of Persian Art</em>. Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Los Angeles, CA (April 1-May 23, 1959)., <em>Sept mille ans d'art en Iran</em>. Petit Palais, Paris, France (October 1-December 31, 1961).
Rights Statement: CC0