The Ibn Sina (Avicenna, c. 980–1037)) statue (C,D) (http://www.muslimphilosophy.com) may have served … However, the sculptured face bears remarkable resemblance to the great physician and philosopher Ibn Sina (Avicenna, 980–1037) (Figure 11) whose sculpture was based on an accurate reconstruction of his skull. Evidently, all artists look for inspiration and historical, tangible references and often resort to using archetypical faces collectively believed to characterize distinguished ancient scholars/physicians/philosophers not necessarily Jews. WHAT IS THE

SIGNIFICANCE OF Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical HIS UNIQUE TURBAN AND RICHLY DECORATED CLOTHES? Whether the artist has chosen a garment and decorations based on historical factoids or was simply influenced by stereotypes and existing living models is undetermined. The end result might be coincidental, but some symbolic hints warrant further reflection. Egyptians and Orientals, including local Jews, have indeed worn typical turbans for many centuries. A typical turban known Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical as the Moock’leh resembles the one in the Maimonides portrait.15 In certain periods of history, different colored turbans were mandated by law according to one’s religion. There were also identifiable differences in the manner of wrapping them. Nicolas Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical de Nicolay who returned from

Istanbul in 1552 reported that Jewish turbans were yellow/orange, Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical a color that matches the one in the Maimonides portrait. His published original engravings and observations of the Orient16 include a famous impression of a Merchant Jew considered a trustworthy representation of the turban and clothes worn by rich eminent Jews. The decorated clothes may also allude to the usage of amulets or talismans. Maimonides himself Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical disrespected and even preached strongly against the

protective and healing powers of amulets or blessed objects. Nevertheless at the time when the Maimonides portrait was published most people of all religions, including Jews, believed in those powers, and the artist may have drawn the “medal” or engraved coin accordingly. Alternatively, this may simply represent a generally accepted trade-mark of ancient physicians, almost like wearing a stethoscope nowadays is considered a trade-mark of modern physicians. Furthermore the artist may have alluded to an honorary ranking symbol given to Maimonides as head physician of first Salah-a-Din, the Sultan of Egypt. The embroidery and what appears like gold braid with 12 colored gemstones might even be the artist’s interpretation of the Hoshen, the sacred breastplate worn by the High Priest for the Israelites. In the selleckchem biblical account, the breastplate is termed the breastplate of judgment, because the Urim and Thummim (four rows of three engraved gems), which were used in divination, were placed within it.