**Originally Listed At $300**

West Africa, Nigeria, Hausa Peoples, early-20th century. A wooden panel cut into a board with a handle tab, used for practicing calligraphic script, inscribed on front and back in black inked Arabic script. Writing boards, such as this one, are often covered with passages from the Qur'an or other religious text, and/or non-figurative motifs. The boards are most often used by young Muslim students who are learning to write, as lessons are completed, boards are washed for reuse- the faint remains of previously inked words is still visible on the surface of this board. These panels are also known as "home protection boards;" a ritual practitioner will write protective passages on the board, that crystallizes the potency of the written words. The board is kept in the house as a talisman to ward against evil- however the person may go so far as to wash the writing off and drink the residual ink water mixture - literally absorbing the blessing! Size: 12.8" L x 6.75" W (32.5 cm x 17.1 cm); 14" H (35.6 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: private Wilmington, North Carolina, USA collection

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#174443

Minor scuffs and chips to wood. Some smudging and fading to inked script, but all is discernable. Intact and great condition.