Indian Printing Block with Naskh Script

This superb wooden printing block from north India has been hand-carved with two lines of Arabic using Naskh script (carved in reverse for printing purposes). The lower register has the numbers ‘1273’ – probably the year, which is 1856-7.

Shaped as an oval, the script appears within an outer border, and all has been carved in high relief.

The reverse has been carved with a high, raised section to allow the user to grip the block whilst printing.

The nature of the printing block probably is religious which suggests it was used to print on textiles of a religious nature – possibly talismanic cotton shirts that sometimes would be worn by soldiers and others to provide them with protection.

The printing block has the most wonderful patina. Its significant age is very evident.