Emrik & Binger, Islamic Sufi Ritual, 1863, Lithograph on Paper

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This unique lithograph from 1863 features two related but distinct scenes of Islamic devotional practice, labeled “De Tsjillé” and “De … Read more This unique lithograph from 1863 features two related but distinct scenes of Islamic devotional practice, labeled “De Tsjillé” and “De Dausa.” It forms part of the Dutch publication *De Voornaamste Godsdiensten* (The Principal Religions), specifically from the volume *Het Islamisme*, and illustrates lesser-known Sufi rituals through a Western academic lens. On the left side of the print, “De Tsjillé” (a transliteration of *Çile* in Turkish, meaning "spiritual retreat") depicts two dervishes engaged in solemn contemplation.

One figure sits with a tall conical Mevlevi hat, rosary in hand, immersed in meditation. The other sits in quiet reverence, facing the wall, a symbolic act of introspection and spiritual concentration. The setting is a plain, wooden-floored cell-like room, stripped of distractions, capturing the ascetic atmosphere of a Sufi retreat where dervishes seek inner purification through silence, fasting, and reflection. The right panel, “De Dausa,” represents a more public and dramatic ritual. A dervish figure elevated on a platform or horse is surrounded by an assembly of followers, many bowing in submission or prayer. He is flanked by men carrying banners inscribed with Arabic script, suggesting a ceremonial gathering or spiritual procession. The crowd wears a mix of striped and plain robes, indicating a culturally diverse assembly. The ritual likely alludes to devotional ceremonies rooted in Shia or Sufi traditions, where the Dausa (or *dawsa*)—stepping on the backs of prostrate followers—symbolized the mastery of the spiritual guide and the humility of the devotees.

The print was lithographed by Emrik & Binger of Haarlem, renowned for their refined illustrative output. Their treatment of texture, light, and posture brings out both the inward silence of “De Tsjillé” and the dramatic fervor of “De Dausa.” These dual scenes reflect the diversity within Islamic mysticism, where internal asceticism and communal ceremony coexist. As part of Dr. Reinhart Pieter Anne Dozy’s work, this illustration aimed to educate 19th-century European readers about the depth and variety of Islamic devotional expression. Dozy, a professor at Leiden University, whose contributions to Arabic and Islamic studies were respected for their academic seriousness.

Condition: Very good antique condition with minimal foxing. See less