A METAL-THREAD EMBROIDERED SILK PANEL OF THE DOOR OF THE RA’ISIYAH MINARET, OTTOMAN, MAHMUD II (REIGNED 1808-39)

Of rectangular form, embroidered in silver and gilt threads over a black silk ground, the surface broken into cartouches of various shapes and sizes containing inscriptions in thuluth, the interstices filled with vegetal designs and floral scrolls, a large gilt inscription (5) halfway up on black silk ground enclosing Quran 2 verse 255 ayat Al-Kursi, ‘The Throne Verse’, one of the best-known verses of the Quran and is widely memorised and displayed in the Islamic world. Flanked on both sides with six small roundels (4) enclosing the name of four Caliphs, Hassan and Hussein on red and yellow ground. Above the central panel two roundels (3) enclosing Al-Shahada surrounded by flower scrolls. The lower section (6) with the tughra of the Sultan in gilt and silver thread. The upper section with crimson band (1) enclosing ‘hadihi al-sitara al-sharifah li-bab minarah al-ra’isiya’. This panel was made for the door of the main minaret”, and Quran 26 Al-Shu‘ara, the Poets vv.193-195 on a red ground. All surrounded with arabesques and vegetal motifs in silver and gilt thread.

CATALOGUE NOTE The southeastern Minaret : It is known as the ra’isayah or the main minaret and bears this name until the present day, beside the green dome, and it is located in the southeast corner of the Mosque. It was built by Al-Ashraf Qaitbay three times in 886 AH, 888 AH, and 892 AH. It was increased in length to 60 meters, and is still up today on the Qaitbay building. The Saudi government is renewing it from time to time so that it remains in the most beautiful and magnificent view. 290 by 175 cm.

PROVENANCE Bonhams London, 7 October 2010, lot 189W.