Qur'an shelves - lawh - Mauritania (No reserve price)

Four Quran boards from Mauritania (the two outer ones) and Mali (the two middle ones). Believed to have been used somewhere between 1960 and 1980. Quran boards (in Arabic often called 'lawḥ') have for centuries played an important role in North Africa, especially within religious education and folk culture. They are wooden boards on which verses from the Quran are written with ink. Students from madrassas ( Quran schools) use them to memorize the text. Once a passage is learned, the board is cleaned and reused. Writing the text physically helps students not only with memorization but also with discipline, concentration, and reverence for the text. They are made from local wood, are often rectangular or slightly rounded, and sometimes have a handle. In some regions they are adorned with geometric patterns or calligraphy. Ink was traditionally made from natural materials such as charcoal, plants, resin, or boiled goat hair (or smeg). Quran boards have more than a practical purpose. They symbolize knowledge and dedication. In some communities the rinse water of the board (after wiping the text) is considered blessed. Old or finely decorated boards are sometimes kept as heirlooms. Although today notebooks and digital tools are used more and more, Quran boards remain a living tradition in religious education and a cultural symbol in parts of North Africa. They are also sold as artworks or home decor. Dimensions: 37 x 11.5 x 0.75 cm 35 x 16.5 x 1 cm 42 x 16 x 1 cm 34.5 x 11.5 x 0.6 cm Carefully packed and shipped with track and trace.

Estimate:£3.35

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