Egyptian - Plaque for Printing a Pilgrimage Certificate - Walters 54510 - Back

The entire surface of this unusual object is engraved with Qur'anic verses, prayers, and invocations to God, the prophet Muhammad, and other religious leaders. It also contains representations of the Great Mosque at Mecca and the Mosque of Medina, the two holiest sites visited by Muslims during the great hajj, or pilgrimage. Both the writing and images are engraved in reverse, indicating that the plaque was used for printing. The printed sheet would have been a souvenir of a pilgrim's visit.