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Historical Archive: Pisa griffin, gryphon Cast bronze with engraving, eleventh century (Taifa period) Height 107 cm, length 87 cm, width 43 cm (42.1 x 34.25 x 16.9 inches) Probably Spain, possibly Fatimid North Africa, Iran, Egypt, or Sicily probably a fountain decoration, possibly an automaton; on the top of Pisa cathedral until 1828 Kufic inscriptions: Perfect blessing, complete well-being. Perfect joy, perpetual peace. Perfect health, happiness [support] for the owner. Pisa, Museo dell'Opera del Duomo right side with base, in available light right side without base, camera even with feet, with flash right side/front front wings, chest, and head, right side/front from below head from below right side above feet wings, neck, and head back, wing, head from back/right back of neck back edges of wings back leg with texturing (left) and engraving (right) back hip with falcon Kufic inscription on side front hip with lion Kufic inscription on chest leg front right foot copy in place on cathedral exterior