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East Iran (Nishapur) or Central Asia (Samarkand), 10th-11th century – clay, black decoration beneath transparent glazing, diameter: 38 cm., height – 3.5 cm.
The plate is decorated with four spots in the middle, and with a typical Shiite inscription in the floral Kufic Alali style, braided over its broad edges. The inscription reads: There is no sorrow like Ali and no sword like Zulfikar.” This refers to the most famous sword in Islam, which is said to have been given to Ali, and is connected to him. From the 15th century it appears on flags, and can be recognized by its split blade.
