Inscriptions

Inscription on the Palencia Casket (1059-50): "In the name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate, continuous blessing, complete bounty, [and] lasting health and prolonged . . . glory, total happiness, continuous favor, and support, and the achievement of the hopes of the owner, may God prolong his life! Completed in the city of Cuenca by order of the hajib Husam al-Dawla abi Muhammad Ismail ibn al-Ma'mun Dhu'l-Majdayn (?) [he of the glories] ibn al-Zafir Dhu'l-Riyasatayn Abu Muhammad ibn Dhu'l Nun, May God bring him glory. [Completed] in the year 441. Work of 'Abd al-Rahman ibn Ziyadn."

Inscription on the Pisa Griffin:

"Perfect blessing, complete well being
Perfect joy, perpetual peace
Perfect health, happiness, and support for owner"

Inscription on the Casket of Hisham II (976): "In the name of God. Blessing from God, prosperity, fortitude, and perpetual joy and happiness for the servant of God al-Hakam Commander of the Faithful al-Mustansir bi-llah. Among those things ordered for Abu' l-Walid Hisham the successor to the caliphate. Completed under the direction of the official Guadar."

Inscription on the clasp of the Casket of Hisham II (976): "Work of Badr and Tarif, your servants"

Inscription on the Casket of the Daughter of Abd al-Rahman III (>961): "Bismillah, this is what was made [for] the Noble Daughter, daughter of 'Abd al-Rahman, Commander of the Faithful, may God's mercy and goodwill be upon him"

Inscription on the Pamplona Casket (1004/05): "In the name of God. Blessings from God, goodwill, happiness, and attainment of expectations from pious works, and respite from the appointed time of death to the hajib Sayf al-Dawla 'Abd al-Malik, son of al-Mansur, may God grant him success. From that which was ordered to be made under the supervision of the chief page Zuhayr ibn Muhammad al-'Amiri, his servant in the year three hundred and ninety-five."

Inscription at the base of the lid of the Pyxis of al-Mughira (968): "Blessings from God, goodwill, happiness, and prosperity to al-Mughira, son of the Commander of the Faithful, may God's mercy be upon him; made in the year three hundred and fifty-seven"

Inscription on an ivory pyxis: "The sight I offer is of the fairest, the firm beast of a delicate maiden. Beauty has invested me with splendid raiment that makes a display of jewels. I am a receptacle for musk, camphor, and ambergris."

[All from Jerrilynn Dodds, ed., Al-Andalus: The Art of Islamic Spain (1992)]