Ottoman Metal-Thread Embroidered Maqam Ibrahim, Egypt, Dated 1327 Ah / 1909 Ad

Details

Description

Made by order of Sultan Mehmed V — an imperial Haramayn commission
The lower cubic section surmounted by a canopy … Read more Made by order of Sultan Mehmed V — an imperial Haramayn commission
The lower cubic section surmounted by a canopy in the form of a pyramid, of red, green and black silk profusely embroidered with silver and gilt-silver thread to each side. The black silk ground applied in silver thread with several calligraphic panels of elegant naskh inscriptions against a dense floral ground, with columns to the lower section, the border with a band of interlocking palmette motifs.

Inscriptions of the pyramid section: to each side, a panel in gilt wires on a green ground in naskh script with v.125 of surah al-Baqara; to each side, a cartouche with two lines of thuluth in silver wires on a gilt ground of v.260 of surah al-Baqara; below, a cartouche to each side with a line of large thuluth in silver wires on a red ground of v.96–97 of surah Al 'Imran; further stylised with dense silver and gilt-wire floral scrolls.

Inscriptions of the cubic section: a cartouche enclosing four lines of v.84 of surah al-Isra in gilt wires in naskh script between two mihrab columns, under two roundels containing 'Allah' and 'Muhammad'; a cartouche inscribed 'This Honourable Burda was made by the order of Mawlana the Sultan Muhammed V Khan ibn the Sultan Abdulmejid Khan ibn the Sultan Mahmud Khan ibn the Sultan Abdulhamid Khan', under two roundels containing 'Abu Bakr' and 'Umar'; and a cartouche enclosing four lines of v.127 of surah al-Baqara in gilt wires in naskh script between two mihrab columns.

CATALOGUE NOTE: The Maqam Ibrahim — the Station of Abraham — stands within the Great Mosque of Mecca and houses the stone associated with the Prophet Ibrahim's building of the Ka'ba. Embroidered coverings for the Maqam were among the most prestigious commissions of the Haramayn workshops, renewed by imperial order. The present example, made by order of Sultan Mehmed V and dated 1327 AH / 1909 AD, belongs to the final era of Ottoman patronage of the Holy Places.

Reference: ART3006209 (Lot 286)
— 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: Egypt (Ottoman Empire)
Period: Dated 1327 AH / 1909 AD
Materials: Silk, Silver thread, Gilt-silver thread See less