Inscripted by M. ‘’Izzet Efendi’’, the eight calligraphic roundels of Hagia Sophia were placed by Fossatis during the Sultan Abdulmejid reign. The huge wooden panels bear the names of Allah, Mohammed and his grandsons; Hasan & Hussein and four caliphates. They intended to remove them when the mosque was converted into a museum. However, they couldn’t go through the doors.
This is all very interesting. I am currently teaching a class about Art Through History and I think this would be useful for my unit on Islamic art. Thanks!
What’s written on these roundels?
The names of the One Divinity, Allah, and His divine messenger, the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH), and his son-in-law Hazrat Ali, and his children, Hasan & Hussein.
The other three names are of the three Rashidun Caliphs, Hazrat Abu Bakr, Hazrat Umar, and Hazrat Usman.