A brass domical cover with knop finial, Khurasan, circa 1200

of rounded form, incised and inlaid with a band of kufic calligraphy on a hatched ground, five roundels of interlacing strapwork interspersed by arabesques of tendrils issuing split-palmettes and pomegranites, central cursive band surmounted by a bulbous knop finial decorated with interlacing strapwork

inscriptions

Round the knob in cursive:

al-'izz wa al-iqbal wa al-dawla wa al-salama wa al-sa'ada wa a

'Glory and Prosperity and Wealth and Well-being and Happiness'

Round the rim in Kufic:

bi'l-yumn wa al-baraka wa al-dama wa al-dawla wa al-salama wa al-surur wa al-sa'ada wa al-tamma wa al-ni'ma wa al-'afiya, wa al-shukra wa al-shakira wa al-nasira, wa al-shifa'a wa al-.... wa al-'afiya wa al-shukra wa al-shakira, wa al-baqa

'With Good-fortune and Blessing and continuity and Wealth and Well-being and Joy and Happiness and Entirety and (God's) Favour and Health and Gratitude and Gratefulness and the (Prophet's) Intercession"