An Unexpected Discovery in the Archives

Ursula Sims-WilliamsStories from the Collection Leave a Comment

Some unexpected recent discoveries at the Ancient India and Iran Trust were two preserved leaves from the bodhi or pipal tree (ficus religiosa). According to Professor Bailey’s note, he discovered the leaf (shown above) on 29 May 1941 in Professor Rapson’s copy of Ausgewählte Erzählungen in Māhārāshṭrī, edited by Hermann Jacobi, Leipzig, 1886 (AIIT A11G 7). The leaf is inscribed, presumably by Professor Rapson himself,  “Bo Tree (Peepul) / Temple of / the Tooth / Kandy / Nov. 1914.” Edward Rapson and Harold Bailey in 1936 (AIIT Bailey Archive) Professor …

Lasting Impressions: Seals from the Islamic World

Jo SalisburyStories from the Collection Leave a Comment

A travelling photographic exhibition from the British Library and the British Museum (Supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund) at the Ancient India & Iran Trust, 10.30am-3pm Monday-Friday, 24 November-8 December 2010 Curators: Annabel Gallop, British Library & Venetia Porter, British Museum Seals have functioned as symbols of authority from the earliest days of Islam. According to tradition, in 628 the Prophet Muhammad had a seal ring made of silver, carved with the words Muhammad Rasul Allah, ‘Muhammad is the Messenger of God’. Ever since, the inscription has been the main …