OTTOMAN EGYPT, CIRCA 1900

Details

A METAL-THREAD CALLIGRAPHIC PANEL (HIZAM) FROM THE KISWA OF THE HOLY KA'BA
OTTOMAN EGYPT, CIRCA 1900
The midnight-blue silk ground heavily embroidered with gold and silver wrapped threads, the cartouche embroidered with strong thuluth, scrolling vines above and below, the spandrels with part flowerheads, blue velvet border applied to edges with Velcro strip above for display purposes
3ft. x 20ft.8in. (92 x 634 cm.)

Provenance

By repute gifted to the father of the previous owner by King Fahd bin Abdul Aziz al Saud, early 1980s
Thence by descent until 2024

Engraved

Qur'an XXII, sura al-Haj, vv.28-29

Sale room notice

Please note that the correct measurements are 3ft. x 20ft.8.in. (92 x 634 cm.) and not as stated in the catalogue.

Conditions of sale

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Lot Essay

This fragment comes from the continuous calligraphic band on the uppermost part of the kiswa al-Ka'ba. The use of sura al-Hajj serves to remind pilgrims of the unique importance of Mecca for believers. An almost identical fragment from the Hizam, with an identical inscription and also woven on a navy silk ground, was sold in these Rooms, 17 April 2007, lot 19.

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