Ottoman Metal-Thread Curtain (Sitara) of Bab Al-Salaam, Al-Masjid Al-Haram

Details

Description

Silver and silver-gilt embroidered sitara with the tughra of Sultan Mahmud
Of rectangular form, embroidered in silver and silver-gilt thread … Read more Silver and silver-gilt embroidered sitara with the tughra of Sultan Mahmud
Of rectangular form, embroidered in silver and silver-gilt thread over a black silk ground, the surface broken into cartouches of various shapes and sizes containing inscriptions in naskh and thuluth script, the interstices filled with vegetal designs. The main design consists of two large calligraphic mosque lamps framed by an arch with wreath and garlanded spandrels supported by twisted columns, enclosing wreaths and inscriptions with the tughra of Sultan Mahmud, further ruled by cartouches enclosing inscriptions and arabesque scrolls.

The inscriptions: three lines in gilt-metal thread in thuluth script of Qur'an surah al-Hashr (59) v.21–24 and surah al-Ahzab (33) v.41–46; within roundels on green and red grounds, the names of the 'Ten Mubashshirun' (the ten promised Paradise); the lamps enclosing the basmala and v.46 of surah al-Hijr in mirror image, flanked by roundels of 'Allah' and 'Muhammad'; three roundels of foliage enclosing the Kalimat al-Tawhid and 'This sitara of Bab al-Salaam'; to both sides, in half-mihrab decoration, surah al-Fath (48) v.27 and v.29; the border with cartouches of invocations to Allah and praise of the Prophet.

CATALOGUE NOTE: Bab al-Salaam, the 'Gate of Peace', is one of the gates of the Great Mosque of Mecca, located between Mount Safa and Marwah; it has traditionally been the gate through which first-time visitors enter the Haram.

Reference: ART3002068 (Lot 259)
— THE HOUSE —
From The Orient Gates: four generations of the Harb family, Damascene artisans and antique dealers since the 1870s, heirs of the painter Abou Sobhi Al-Tinawi (Muhammad Harb). Every piece is examined, restored and documented in our family ateliers. A certificate of authenticity accompanies every piece.
— DETAILS —
Origin: Ottoman Empire
Period: Ottoman, 19th century
Materials: Silk, Silver thread, Silver-gilt thread
Dimensions: 300 by 375 cm See less