Two monumental turquoise-glazed calligraphic tiles, signed by Yusuf Ibn ‘Ali [Ibn] Muhammad Ibn Abi [Tahir], probably Kashan, Persia, 13th century. Photo: Sotheby's

comprising two tile panels with a turquoise glaze and moulded calligraphic decoration along the borders, featuring a central rectangular moulded border containing further calligraphy; 113.5 by 41.5cm. Estimation  80,000 — 120,000 GBP 

PROPERTY FROM THE GUERRAND-HERMÈS COLLECTION

Inscriptions: Right border:  Qur’an, chapter II (al-baqara), part of verse 285.
Left and bottom borders:  Qur’an, chapter II (al-baqara), part of verse 286.

These were likely to have formed part of a larger tile panel. Since the beginning of the inscription is missing, it is not easy to identify the function of the panel and where it belonged. It starts with the name of the seventh Imam (Musa ibn Ja’far) and benedictions to him and his fathers. It is then followed by:
al-sahib al-mu’azzam fakhr al-din al-hasan ibn muhammad kani dama mu’azzama ‘ala  wa talaba sabil allah/li-thawabihi wa ja’ala li-manu (?)  allahumma ighfir al-mu’minin wa al-mu’minat wa al-muslimin wa al-muslimat bi-rahmatika ya arham al-rahimin ‘amalahu wa katabahu yusif ibn ‘ali [ibn] muhammad ibn abi [tahir]

‘The honoured patron [is] Fakhr al-Din al-Hasan ibn Muhammad Kani, may his honour be upon …. And seek in God’s path for his good deed ….  O God, forgive male believers and female believers and male Muslims and female Muslims through your mercy O the most Merciful of those who show mercy.  Yusif ibn ‘Ali [ibn] Muhammad ibn Abi [Tahir] made it and wrote it’

The potter/scribe is the last of the Abi Tahir descendants of potters. For his recorded pieces, see Watson 1985, p. 179.

Sotheby's. Arts of the Islamic World. London | 09 oct. 2013 - http://www.sothebys.com