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Lot Essay
This flag is a relatively late example of the kind of battle standard which seem to have been commissioned in the early 19th century for a particular campaign, possibly that waged against the Wahhabis in the first decade of the 19th century, led by Sultan Mahmud II.
The group falls into two broad categories, the first woven with the Dhu'l Faqar in gold against a red ground, the second with a series of inscriptions within medallions, typically on a green ground, with which this flag can be grouped. However, this example is embroidered rather than woven and is, as stated, much later in date.
Both groups of early 19th century banners and this example are based on 17th century battle flags of the kind which were captured at the Siege of Vienna in 1683, one of which can be seen in Karlsruhe (Petrasch, Ernst et al.: Die Karlsruhe Tuerkenbeute, Munich, 1991, nos.7-13, pp.71-76).
Examples of woven banners:
Published Spink & Sons, London, 5-20 December 1990, no 63,
National Museum Kuwait, Inventory No LS27/1
BM Dept of Oriental Antiquities, Inventory No OA+1342
The group falls into two broad categories, the first woven with the Dhu'l Faqar in gold against a red ground, the second with a series of inscriptions within medallions, typically on a green ground, with which this flag can be grouped. However, this example is embroidered rather than woven and is, as stated, much later in date.
Both groups of early 19th century banners and this example are based on 17th century battle flags of the kind which were captured at the Siege of Vienna in 1683, one of which can be seen in Karlsruhe (Petrasch, Ernst et al.: Die Karlsruhe Tuerkenbeute, Munich, 1991, nos.7-13, pp.71-76).
Examples of woven banners:
Published Spink & Sons, London, 5-20 December 1990, no 63,
National Museum Kuwait, Inventory No LS27/1
BM Dept of Oriental Antiquities, Inventory No OA+1342