Bidspirit auction | A QAJAR OR OTTOMAN CAST

A QAJAR OR OTTOMAN CAST BRONZE PART OF PRINTING COPPER BLOCK DATED 1297 AH, 19TH CENTURY. - A rectangular cast bronze calligraphic plaque, likely of Qajar or Ottoman origin. The front is dominated by a central field of high-relief calligraphy in an Arabic script, likely Naskh or Thuluth. The text is organised into two primary sections: an upper register of five lines and a larger lower register of ten lines, separated by a central horizontal cartouche. The inscriptions, which are likely religious or commemorative in nature, are surrounded by an intricate, continuous border of foliate arabesques and floral scrollwork. The plaque was produced using a casting method where the background was recessed to allow the text and decorative borders to stand in high relief, with further hand-chasing evident in the fine details. Small mounting holes are located around the perimeter and one in the centre, indicating it was originally designed to be fixed to a door, chest, or architectural feature. Inscriptions: Incised along the top right edge are the Arabic numerals ١٢٩٧, representing the Hijri year 1297 (c. 1879–1880 AD). Approximately 15.5 x 10.5cm