This wooden panel features the carved inscription of the shahadah or (the profession of faith in Islam) contained in an oval medallion. Highlighted in gold paint in a dark red wooden background, the shahadah reads, “There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is his Messenger.’ The cloud motif that forms a ‘canopy’ symbolizing the sky found at the top corners of the panel is known as mega mendung. The motif of stony soil or rocks found at the bottom is called wadas, a motif typical in Cirebon, north coast of Java. These motifs are found on batik, woodcarving and shadow puppets (wayang kulit) designs.
