A GREEN FRAGMENT OF A RAWADAH AL-MUTAHARAH CLOTH, OTTOMAN, TURKEY, 16TH CENTURY

A fragment of silk hanging panel in the Rawdah al-mutahar. With an inscribed weave in cream color over a light green silk ground. Embellished with a prominent inscription within a broad border in thuluth script of praise of the prophet ‘Prayer and peace be upon you, O Messenger of Allah’. Below with a narrow band containing prayers for the four righteous caliphs Abu Bakr, ‘Umar, ‘Uthman and ‘Ali as well as for the companions of the Prophet. At the top with a narrow band enclosing ‘O Allah, bless the Prophet Muhammad, the Seal of Prophets and Messengers’. 30.5 by 33 cm.

CATALOGUE NOTE The Rawdah (‘Garden’) is an area between the minbar and burial chamber of Muhammad. A green carpet distinguishes the area from the rest of the mosque, which is covered in a red carpet.