North Indian Commemorative Carved Wooden Block for ‘Ali ibn Musa al-Rida, the Eighth Shia Imam

This small carved wooden block appears to be a printing block, however, the inscriptions have not been carved in reverse but are meant to be read as viewed, so instead, it is likely that this wooden block is a talismanic device, perhaps intended to be displayed in the family home.

The block is carved on one side only and with an Arabic inscription but also, unusually, with two birds and a snake. The text of the inscription that starts on then left and continues around is likely to be from the Qur’an (68:51). The inscription at the top as in invocation to ‘Ali ibn Musa al-Rida, the eighth of the twelve Shia imams.

There is a story that ‘Ali ibn Musa al-Rida and a companion were walking in a garden when a small bird appeared and was chirping madly. The companion tried to wave the bird away. The Imam stopped the companion from doing so, and explained that a snake was attempting to climb the trunk of a tree to reach the bird’s nest where it could snatch the bird’s chicks. The Imam frightened away the snake and helped to protect the nest. This is seen as a demonstration of the Imam’s compassion.

‘Ali ibn Musa al-Rida is an important figure in Lucknow where there is a shrine dedicated to him. Annual celebratory events (Jashn) are held there for the Imam’s birthday (Wiladat) and mourning gatherings (Majalis) for the anniversary of his martyrdom. Almost certainly, the block was carved in northern India, and quite possibly it was carved in Lucknow.