Tiraz textile fragments, Egypt, 10th century, Linen with tapestry-woven inscription in silk , ROM, 978.76.984 A

Tiraz textile fragments, Egypt, 10th century, Linen with tapestry-woven inscription in silk , ROM, 978.76.984 A

These delicate tapestry-woven textile armbands with inscriptions (Arabic tiraz) rendered in golden Kufic script lettering would have adorned the wearer's body in a luxurious echo of the regal blue and gold parchment Qur'ans produced during the Fatimid Dynasty. These fragments, which likely came from two different garments of a matching set, include the phrase "Abu l-Mansur," part of the name of the Fatimid Caliph al-Aziz Billah (975-96), whose reign brought the founding of Cairo"s al-Azhar University (988), military expansion into Palestine and Syria, and economic and social stability. The inscription reads, "[In the name of God] the Merciful, the Compassionate! There is no God but God alone. Victory from God and imminent conquest to Abdullah and his viceroy Abu l-Mansur."

Royal Ontario Museum

10th century

Royal Ontario Museum

Dimensions: Mount dims: 20" x 33"

Material: Linen with tapestry-woven silk inscription

Arabic

ROM 978.76.984A

Egypt