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An important Ottoman metal-thread curtain of the Holy Ka'ba door (burqa), Egypt, period of Sultan Abdulhamid I, dated 1194 AH/1780 AD
Estimate
80,000 - 120,000 GBP
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Description
- silk with applied silver and silver-gilt thread
silk with applied silver and silver-gilt thread, comprising cartouches, medallions and frames containing inscriptions and floral details, open slit for door, with architectural design
Condition
In fair condition, ware consistent with age and use, some tears to textile ground, five hooks at top for hanging, mounted on linen backing, some discoloration and bending to metal threads, textile composed of stitched pices of cloth, 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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
inscriptions
In the cartouches in the borders: Repeat of Qur’an, chapter CXIV (al-Ikhlas).
In the cartouche above: Qur’an, chapter XVII (al-Isra’), verse 80.
In the side arches, twice: The basmala and Qur’an, chapter L (Qaf), verse 34.
In the middle arch: The word Allah (on top); Qur’an, chapter LXI (al-Saff), part of verse 13 (in the centre) and the Shahada followed by Qur’an, chapter LXI (al-Saff), verse 9 (In the borders).
In the panel on gold: Qur’an, chapter XLVIII (al-Fath), part of verse 27.
In the four cartouches above and below the above panel: Qur’an, chapter II (al-Baqara), verse 255.
In the two roundels: Qur’an, chapter LXI (al-Saff), verse 9.
In between the roundels, on black and red: Invocations to God, Muhammad, the Four Orthodox Caliphs and all of the Companions ending with ‘May God be pleased [with them].
In the tear-drop shape: Qur’an, chapter VII (al-A’raf), part of verse 89.
In the cartouches below the roundels, on black: Qur’an, chapter CVI (Quraysh).
In the zigzag bands: repeat of the Shahada.
In the sections above and below the zigzag, on gold: Prayer for the Four Orthodox Caliphs and all of the Companions.
In the cartouches below the zigzag panel, on black:
qad tasharraf bi-tajdid hadha … mawlana al-sultan al-a’zam ‘abd al-hamid ibn ahmad ibn muhammad ibn ibrahim ibn muhammad khan fi sana alfa wa mi’a wa tis’in wa raba’a
‘The renovation of this curtain was ordered by ……. the most great Sultan ‘Abd al-Hamid Ibn Ahmad Ibn Muhammad Ibn Ibrahim Ibn Muhammad Khan in 1194 (1794-5)'
Around the door: Qur’an, chapter CXIV (al-Ikhlas).
In the small roundels: Repeat of: ‘God is my Lord’ (8 times) and ‘God suffices me’ (3 times).
The four walls of the Ka'ba, the holiest site in Islam, are covered with a curtain (kiswa) with the shahada outlined in the weave, and about two thirds of the way up runs a gold embroidered band (hizam) covered with Qur'anic verses. Over the door is a curtain (sitara or burqa) and inside the Ka'ba are other textiles, including the Bab al-Tawba, or curtain door leading to the roof and various colourful textiles with chevron designs (London 2012, p.257). The present curtain would have been intended for use over the door (see below image) and is impressive in its size and workmanship. A similar curtain of the Holy Ka'ba door curtain, dedicated to Sultan Abd al-Majid (r.1839-61), was sold by Sotheby's 16 December 2010, Hurouf: The Art of the Word, Doha, lot 130.
In the cartouches in the borders: Repeat of Qur’an, chapter CXIV (al-Ikhlas).
In the cartouche above: Qur’an, chapter XVII (al-Isra’), verse 80.
In the side arches, twice: The basmala and Qur’an, chapter L (Qaf), verse 34.
In the middle arch: The word Allah (on top); Qur’an, chapter LXI (al-Saff), part of verse 13 (in the centre) and the Shahada followed by Qur’an, chapter LXI (al-Saff), verse 9 (In the borders).
In the panel on gold: Qur’an, chapter XLVIII (al-Fath), part of verse 27.
In the four cartouches above and below the above panel: Qur’an, chapter II (al-Baqara), verse 255.
In the two roundels: Qur’an, chapter LXI (al-Saff), verse 9.
In between the roundels, on black and red: Invocations to God, Muhammad, the Four Orthodox Caliphs and all of the Companions ending with ‘May God be pleased [with them].
In the tear-drop shape: Qur’an, chapter VII (al-A’raf), part of verse 89.
In the cartouches below the roundels, on black: Qur’an, chapter CVI (Quraysh).
In the zigzag bands: repeat of the Shahada.
In the sections above and below the zigzag, on gold: Prayer for the Four Orthodox Caliphs and all of the Companions.
In the cartouches below the zigzag panel, on black:
qad tasharraf bi-tajdid hadha … mawlana al-sultan al-a’zam ‘abd al-hamid ibn ahmad ibn muhammad ibn ibrahim ibn muhammad khan fi sana alfa wa mi’a wa tis’in wa raba’a
‘The renovation of this curtain was ordered by ……. the most great Sultan ‘Abd al-Hamid Ibn Ahmad Ibn Muhammad Ibn Ibrahim Ibn Muhammad Khan in 1194 (1794-5)'
Around the door: Qur’an, chapter CXIV (al-Ikhlas).
In the small roundels: Repeat of: ‘God is my Lord’ (8 times) and ‘God suffices me’ (3 times).
The four walls of the Ka'ba, the holiest site in Islam, are covered with a curtain (kiswa) with the shahada outlined in the weave, and about two thirds of the way up runs a gold embroidered band (hizam) covered with Qur'anic verses. Over the door is a curtain (sitara or burqa) and inside the Ka'ba are other textiles, including the Bab al-Tawba, or curtain door leading to the roof and various colourful textiles with chevron designs (London 2012, p.257). The present curtain would have been intended for use over the door (see below image) and is impressive in its size and workmanship. A similar curtain of the Holy Ka'ba door curtain, dedicated to Sultan Abd al-Majid (r.1839-61), was sold by Sotheby's 16 December 2010, Hurouf: The Art of the Word, Doha, lot 130.