A Plan of the Holy Sanctuary in Mecca, signed by Abdulaziz Husni, Arabian Peninsula, Ottoman, dated 1299 AH/1881 AD

ink heightened with watercolour on paper, depicting a scale plan of the Holy Ka'ba and the surrounding area, including lists and diagrams of the various buildings

In good overall condition, a few creases, some small abrasions to surface, minor waterstain to lower bottom right edge, generally clean, ink and colours bright, as viewed.
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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."

This plan of Mecca provides a fascinating insight into the way the Haram al-Sharif actually looked during the last quarter of the nineteenth century. Contrary to a number of more romantic and less accurate depictions of the Ka'ba at Mecca (see for example paintings sold in these rooms 3 October 2012, lot 115 and 6 April 2011, lot 229) as well as the many Hajj maps that were produced (see an example sold in these rooms 6 October 2010, lot 28), the present work represents an actual scale plan, executed with precision.

To the right of the diagram of the Ka'ba is a list of the Holy Places in al-Haram al-Sharif:

The Ka’ba
The Hijr, burial place of Isma’il
The Black Stone in the eastern corner of the Ka’bah
The Yemeni Corner, the place from which the Prophet departed from the Ka’bah
Sanctuary of the Prophet Ibrahim
The Zamzam Well
Bab Bani Shaybah, formerly Bab al-Salam
Place of prayer of Imam Ibn Hanifah al-Nu’man
Place of prayer of Imam Malik
Place of prayer of Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal
The pulpit
The steps of al-Ka’bah
The library in the shape of a dome
The location of the Timekeeper
Rear view of the columns surrounding the courtyard of al-Ka’bah
Rear view of the courtyard of al-Haram al-Sharif  with hanging lamps in the shape of palm trees
Two ponds or basins
Paths paved with black stones leading to the Ka’bah
Unpaved area covered with sand

The minarets in the Holy Sanctuary are also listed as follows:

‘Ali Minaret ; Bab al-Salam Minaret; Qaytbay Minaret; Bab al-Mahkamah Minaret; Bab Ziyadah Minaret; Bab al-‘Umrah Minaret; Bab al-Wida Minaret

To the left of the Mecca diagram is a list of the Façade Sections of al-Haram al-Sharif as follows:

The Hijr
Burial place of Isma’il
Al-Ka’bah
Place of prayer of Imam Hanifah
Place of prayer of Imam Malik
Sanctuary of the Prophet Ibrahim al-Khalil
Place of prayer of Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal
The pulpit
Bani Shaybah Gate
The steps of the Ka’bah
The Zamzam Well
The Domes
The columns surrounding the Ka’bah
The columns inside the Haram

For plans of the Holy Sanctuaries in Mecca and Medina, see V. Porter (Ed.), Hajj: Journey to the Heart of Islam, London, 2012, pp.39 & 83. For a full list of the facades and structures listed on the present plan, please see the online version of this catalogue.