Early Islamic Signature

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From Islamic and Art Patronage, the al- Sabah Collection,


"TILE WITH EPIGRAPHIC BLAZON OF SULTAN QAITBAY


Egypt, late 15th century
Diameter 30.0 cm (11 13/16 in.)
LNS 190 C

The blazon on this circular tile - with the text placed in three horizontal fields reserved in white against a blue ground and bordered in black - belonged to the Mamluk sultan Qaitbay. The Arabic inscription follows the arrangement of the period and is read in the sequence of central field, upper panel, and lower panel. It states: "Glory to our master, the Sultan al-Malik al-Ashraf Abu'l-Nasir Qaitbay, amy his victory be glorious."
Unique to the Mamluks, the epigraphic blazon was initiated by Sultan Nasir al-Din Muhammad around 1320 and became the emblem of all subsequent rulers. Offices held by the Mamluks were also identified by blazons, symbols of their rank. They were displayed on the owners' garments, arms, and armour and on the art and architecture commissioned by them."