A Fatimid Carved Marble Tombstone, Egypt or Tunisia, Dated 359 AH/970 AD

of arch-shaped form, with two relief columns on each side surmounted by waisted bulbous capitals, the main part of the panel carved in relief with fourteen lines of text in Kufic script, with a further band of calligraphy around the top of the arch

In good overall condition, some chips and abrasions around the edges associated with age, otherwise carving crisp, deeply carved, clean and legible, as viewed.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

inscriptions

The shahada, followed by Qur'an, III (Al 'Imran), v.183, followed by:

'This is the tomb of  'Ali ibn 'Abdallah ibn Muhammad ibn Hafs al-Takhawani (?), mercy of God be upon him, who died on Sunday12 days passed of rabi' al-awwal the year 359 (23 January 970 AD); followed by a prayer and the tasliyah.

Around the arch:

'The grave that those who put you in could not sleep for tragedy. The grave of whom passed away from friends and made them cry. The grave of the one who was very dear to us'

From the ninth century, tombstones in the Islamic world gradually acquired more decorative interest, both in the style of calligraphy used on them and in terms of additional embellishments. At this date the form of funerary stones was more commonly rectangular (von Folsach 2001, p.243, no.386). Examples of the ninth century use both calligraphy carved in relief and in intaglio. Both appear on the present example along with some architectural motifs that lend it something of the appearance of a mihrab. A funerary stele in the Benaki Museum, dated 863 AD, also combines these same elements: the calligraphic relief with an outer text in intaglio set with a pair of columns supporting an arch (inv. no.10770, illustrated in Amsterdam 1999, p.208, no.176). Presumably both this and the present example would have been set within the walls of a mausoleum.