* Architectural fragment with epigraphic and vegetal decorat - Lot 335

* Architectural fragment with epigraphic and vegetal decoration in white stone Iran, 12th century H. 36 cm L. 64 cm This carved panel features an elegant frieze of interlaced palmettes in the upper and lower sections, framing an imposing inscription in foliated kufic script. This beautiful stylized calligraphic style features letters whose stems take the form of palmettes. The partially legible inscription consists of (incomplete) blessing formulas. A sculpted fragment preserved in the Louvre (but with figurative rather than epigraphic decoration) features a frieze of interlacing motifs evoking the sinuous foliage on our panel. It is attributed to Iran and dated to the 11th-13th century (inv. n°OA 6713). Another stucco panel with a similar foliate kufic pattern is also in the Louvre, under inventory no. MAO 446, and is attributed to Central Iran (Sawa), 11th century. Other examples of carved architectural fragments, attributed to Iran around the 12th century, with comparable calligraphy and double-line scroll motifs are known, such as the one in the MFA, Boston (acc. no. 31.711). -EXPERT : Alexis RENARD = 01 44 07 33 02