Two New Inscriptions Dated 983 AH By the Craftsman Abdullah bin Ahmed Al-Mutalali"An Archaeological and Artistic Study: Comparative Analysis"
This study documents and analyzes two newly discovered tombstone inscriptions produced by the craftsman Abdullah bin Ahmed Al-Mutalali, both dated to 983 AH / 1575 CE. They are located on the eastern side of the cemetery of Saada city in Yemen. The study revolves around the question of the relationship between the quality of craftsmanship and production standards: Did the production follow inherited, fixed models, or did it reflect individual creativity by the craftsman? To what extent is the level of skill linked to the status of the deceased or the craftsman's skill? The study aims to identify the industrial and artistic characteristics that distinguished Yemeni tombstone production at the end of the 10th century AH, as well as the distinctive features of Al-Mutalali’s works. The importance of the study lies in the fact that the two inscriptions represent a unique case of precise chronological synchrony, allowing for a definitive dating of the practices of Islamic craftsmanship and art, and reflecting a distinguished artistic school in Yemen. The study employs a descriptive, analytical, and comparative archaeological methodology and reaches several key conclusions: The two inscriptions exemplify a distinctive model of Yemeni Islamic art at the end of the 10th century AH which continued to flourish with its local traditions. It confirms that the craft of tombstone and commemorative inscriptions in Yemen reached an advanced level of innovation and aesthetic awareness during the same period. Moreover, the works of the craftsman Abdullah Al-Mutalali were also characterized by integration in his artistic designs and exceptional precision and skill in carving, reflecting his outstanding capability in artistic production
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