Possible Arabic ? or middle eaastern script on plate in church ....

[brigidmac]

I was taught Arabic by the Catholic priests in Algeria .

It's not an Islamic plate
it's one used for serving Sweet's

 it would be disrespectful to eat food of something with religious writing .!

Tho I think relics from different religions appear in various churches temples mosques and synagogues From presents representing peace and goodwill

[Treetotal]

My Son said that the three circles look like Arabic script but are so decorative  that it's difficult to make out any words, the rest are just patterns. The language could be either Farsi or Urdu which he hasn't studied.
Carol

[Lydart]

Thank you so far .... I'll have another look at the tray/plate on Sunday and see who and when it was given to the church.   

Amazing what you see when cleaning the brass !

[josey]

Cleaning the brass at home was one of my chores when I was a child for 6d a week which included cleaning my father's shoes every day as well. I remember with disgust cleaning the brass ashtrays, the smell put me off ever smoking, which is something I have always felt grateful for.

[Skoosh]

Apparently called Cairo-ware, inscription called a Thuluth, "Present from Blackpool?"

Skoosh.

[Lydart]

I've had another look at the 'plate/dish' and the only extra info I can add is that under the rim has been engraved "Presented to xxx church 1987" ..... so quite a new addition to the church brass, but still no idea who gave it, or why or what for !

Looks like it will forever be 'one of those mysteries' !!

[brigidmac]

You.ll have to check church diary or find the curate /vicar /priest/ verger/ parishioners of the time .

Maybe someone will remember if there was a special event that year there .

[brigidmac]

I still don't think it's writing .

There could be symbols for places or particular family business marks

most of the engravers in North Africa in the 1980's were illiterate and when they had to do writing copied from illuminated script .

Otherwise They had their own patterns  copied + embellished over generations

[Lydart]

I'd like to know who gave it to the church and why .... but the vicar/church warden/parishoners from then are all long gone !    Age is creeping on ....

I'll see if I can locate PCC records from then .... but don't hold out much hope.