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Lot Essay
Although it is said that for centuries the whole of the silk ground of the kiswa was embroidered, it is its epigraphic panels which are its true glory. The content of these on the more recent coverings is almost entirely Qur'anic, and examples of kiswa fragments that have previously appeared in auction testify to this. During Ottoman times, however, the purpose of the inscription on the Hizam ("Girdle"), that single most visible element of the kiswa, was also to glorify the Sultan, who as Caliph was accorded such an honour. On this piece his entire lineage back to 'Uthman (Osman) is given.
The present piece of three panels, inscribed with the same date as the preceding lot and therefore from the same kiswa, constitutes about three quarters of the entire Hizam. The inscription on the right-hand panel is Qur'an XXII surat al-hajj vv.29. This is followed by a green roundel, the word Allah inscribed in the centre.
The second long panel states "At the days of the reign of our lord, the supreme Sultan, the king of all Arab and Persian Kings, the owner of the districts of Hijaz, the King of the Victorious Kingdoms, the Conqueror, Sultan Abdulmajid Khan bin ... Sultan Ahmed Khan" This is followed by a second roundel with words from surat al-israa.
The third long strip continues on from the second, reading
"bin Sultan Muhammad Khan bin... Sultan 'Uthman Khan, may Allah perpetuate his Caliphate, in the year AH 1275 (1859 AD)"
The only comparable piece is one in the Topkapi Palace Museum in Istanbul, dated AH 1277/1860-61 AD. This is published in Hulya Tezcan: Al-Astar al-Haramayn, Istanbul, no.40.
Much smaller Hizam fragments have appeared at auction, but all have been later and much smaller. These include one sold in these rooms, 16 October 2001, lot 62 and another sold at Sotheby's 21 October 1993, lot 255.
The present piece of three panels, inscribed with the same date as the preceding lot and therefore from the same kiswa, constitutes about three quarters of the entire Hizam. The inscription on the right-hand panel is Qur'an XXII surat al-hajj vv.29. This is followed by a green roundel, the word Allah inscribed in the centre.
The second long panel states "At the days of the reign of our lord, the supreme Sultan, the king of all Arab and Persian Kings, the owner of the districts of Hijaz, the King of the Victorious Kingdoms, the Conqueror, Sultan Abdulmajid Khan bin ... Sultan Ahmed Khan" This is followed by a second roundel with words from surat al-israa.
The third long strip continues on from the second, reading
"bin Sultan Muhammad Khan bin... Sultan 'Uthman Khan, may Allah perpetuate his Caliphate, in the year AH 1275 (1859 AD)"
The only comparable piece is one in the Topkapi Palace Museum in Istanbul, dated AH 1277/1860-61 AD. This is published in Hulya Tezcan: Al-Astar al-Haramayn, Istanbul, no.40.
Much smaller Hizam fragments have appeared at auction, but all have been later and much smaller. These include one sold in these rooms, 16 October 2001, lot 62 and another sold at Sotheby's 21 October 1993, lot 255.