A silk and metal thread calligraphic band (Hizam) for the Holy Ka'ba at Mecca designed by the Ottoman calligrapher Abdullah Bek Zuhdi, circa 1870

of elongated rectangular form, the blue silk ground embroidered with silver metal threads with a monumental calligraphic frieze in thuluth framed by a narrow border of scrolling tendrils, with split-palmette spandrels

Published: Ibrahim Rifat Pasha, Mirat Al-Haramain, Egyptian House of Books, Cairo, 1925, p.298, illus. no.110.

Tears and repairs to the silk ground, some loose threads, professionally conserved, overall good condition, as viewed
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

inscription

Qur'an, surah Al 'Umran (III), verse 94, 95 and parts of 96.

The four walls of the Ka'ba are covered with a curtain (kiswa) with the shahada outlined in the weave. About two thirds of the way up runs a gold embroidered band (hizam) covered with Qur'anic verses. Each year, when the new kiswa arrives the guardians of the Ka'ba, the Banu Shayban, divide the old kiswa up and distribute the pieces to honoured pilgrims.

This piece was documented by Ibrahim Rifat Pasha in his book Mirat Al-Haramain, published in 1925 (Ibrahim Rifat, Mirat Al-Haramain, Dar Al-Kitab al-Misri, Cairo, 1925, p.298, illus. no.110). Rifat wrote: "The famous [Egyptian] calligrapher Abdullah Bek Zuhdi designed this fine calligraphy in the thuluth style, during the reign of Khedive Ismail Pasha of Egypt (1863-1879)".

Other examples of the hizam have sold in these rooms, 21 October 1993, lot 255, 5 April 2006, lot 21, 5 April 2006, lot 21, 18 April 2007, lot 164, 24 October 2007, lot 43, and 9 April 2008, lot 41.