Marble frieze from Ghazni, 1100's, in kufic script, with unusual stylistic features

 Source: http://www.islamicart.com/main/calligraphy/catalog/index.htm
(downloaded April 2000)

"Afghanistan, Ghazni, 12th century. Marble. 13 l/2 x 22 1/2 x 2 1/2 in. Malaysia, private collection. This fragment from a stone frieze bears two inscriptions. The upper one, in elaborately foliated Kufic, says: "There is no strength and no power save in Allah."

The foliation is confined to the top of the inscription, forming a uniform pattern, while the words are almost entirely unobstructed and remain quite legible. The lower band of scnpt is an interesting mixture of Thulth and Kufic with some peculiarities - such as the miniature letter k-af above the k-afof the first letter - which are found in manuscripts but rarely carved in stone.

The inscription reproduces part of Surah XLVIII, Al-Fat'h, Victory, verses 28- 29 : ... all [religion], And enough is Allah for a witness. Muhammad [is the Apostle of Allah]."