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A close up on the three lines that form the seré of the Tughra of Suleiman the Magnificent. The seré refer back to the signature of the sultan who founded the Ottoman Empire.
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The official signature of Ottoman Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent. The signature consists of blue and gold opaque watercolor on paper.
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The jeweled dagger comes from the region surrounding Jaipur in India. The method of inlaid gems used to decorate the ram’s head, called kundan, has been passed down through generations to the present day. Precious stones are found in the intricate craftsmanship of the hilt of the dagger.
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This is a circular gold design. It includes many accent colors and intricate details.
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The Shah-e Zende Necropolis is an extensive complex with mausoleums, temples, and other buildings. The decorative facade of this mausoleum, known as Anonymous No. 2, is notable for its use of bright turquoise colors and calligraphic inscriptions..
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This ceramic frieze serves as decoration to the right of the qibla wall of the Namazgah mosque. It is notable for its turquoise color and epigraphic calligraphy.
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A combination photo of one of the Bamiyan Buddha statues. From left to right, the photo shows the statue before and after a destructive Taliban attack.
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A close-up on the calligraphic frieze at the top of the Chashma-i Ayub portal. The Chashma-i Ayub Tile was taken from the right side of the band, as seen by the empty space in the image.
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The entrance portal leading into the Chashma-i Ayub complex. The Chashma-i Ayub tile was taken from the calligraphic frieze above the doorway.
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This object is a decorative, turquoise-glazed tile fragment of elaborate Arabic calligraphic writing. The tile is 52.5cm high and 30.5cm across. It is part of a larger epigraphic band made of sculpted baked clay covered in an opaque turquoise glaze, which adorns the top of the external entrance portal of the Chashma-i Ayub Mausoleum complex. When translated, the full band reads “The Prophet - peace be upon him - said: I had forbidden you to make pilgrimages to tombs. Now make pilgrimages. This monument was erected in the year five and six hundred.”