Lot Essay
The inscription states that "this kiswa was made in Mecca at the order of the guardian of the two sanctuaries (Mecca and Medina), his Majesty the King, the Imam 'Abd al-'Aziz b. 'Abd al-Rahman al-Saud al-Faisal".
This therefore is the commissioning inscription from one of the few kiswas made in Mecca before the more recent group began to be woven there in 1956. Until 1923 all were made in Egypt and sent to Mecca. The kiswa was made in Mecca itself between 1928 and 1931, and again between 1933 and 1936, when it reverted to Egyptian manufacture. The missing year of 1932, is when it was commissioned to be made in Germany. Weavers were specially imported to Mecca from Egypt to perform the work.
This therefore is the commissioning inscription from one of the few kiswas made in Mecca before the more recent group began to be woven there in 1956. Until 1923 all were made in Egypt and sent to Mecca. The kiswa was made in Mecca itself between 1928 and 1931, and again between 1933 and 1936, when it reverted to Egyptian manufacture. The missing year of 1932, is when it was commissioned to be made in Germany. Weavers were specially imported to Mecca from Egypt to perform the work.