Historically linked to the city of Kufa in present-day Iraq, the Kufic script, given the importance Islam assigns to the written word, is one of the most outstanding elements of the archaeological manifestations of al-Andalus (Martínez Enamorado, 2003). Along with ataurique work, Kufic characters are a reliable dating system for inscriptions where the date is missing or badly damaged (Martínez Enamorado, 2003).
The caliphal kufic script
On the plain border that runs along the base of the lid of the Pyxis of Zamora we can find, in Kufic characters, the following inscription: "God's blessing to the Imam, the slave of God, Al Hakam Al Mustansir bi'llah, the Prince of the Believers. From what has been ordered to be done for the lady mother of Prince Abd el Rahman, under the direction of Durri As Saghir, in the year 353 AH". (Galán & Galindo, 2005; Puerta Vílchez, 2013; Martínez Martín, 2015).
Three types can be distinguished in the Umayyad period: archaic Kufic (8th and 9th Centuries), flowery Kufic (second half of the 9th Century and 10th Century) and simple Kufic (mid-10th Century to the end of the Caliphate period) (Martínez Enamorado, 2003).
Simple Kufic script developed during the period of al-Hakam II. This is a type of writing that stands out for its total elimination of floral decorations, characteristic of the flowery Kufic, and instead returns to a Kufic script that is reminiscent of the archaic Kufic in its simplicity and sobriety.
The first examples of this new style can be found in the capitals of the Alcazar of Cordoba from 964 to 965 and in the Pyxis of Zamora (Martínez Enamorado, 2003).
However, the consolidation of simple Kufic is best reflected in the inscriptions commemorating the extension work on the Great Mosque of Cordoba, carried out by order of al-Hakam II (Martínez Núñez, 1997).
It is worth noting that the inscription on the Pyxis of Zamora is an elegant, sober and well-executed design, as there are no anomalies between the lines. It clearly shows the new elegance acquired by the simple Kufic through the ideal proportion between the height and thickness of the graphemes (Martínez Núñez, 1997).
― Galán y Galindo, A. (2005). Marfiles medievales del islam. Obra Social y cultural CajaSur.
― Martínez Enamorado, V. (2003). El cúfico andalusí. Arqueo, 15, 60-61
― Martínez Martín, A. (2015). El Bote de Zamora. Revista Atticus, 29(junio), 29-33.
― Martínez Núñez, M.A. (1997). Escritura árabe ornamental y epigrafía andalusí. Arqueología y territorio medieval, 4, 127-162.
― Puerta Vílchez, J.M. (2013). La monumentalidad y el sentido artístico de Qurtuba. AWRAQ. Revista de análisis y pensamiento sobre el mundo árabe e islámico contemporáneo, 7, 43-80.