KAABA KISWA TEXTILE, TURKEY, 19TH-20TH CENTURY

A fragment of hanging panel of the inner kiswa, with an inscribed weave in cream color over a light 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’. 185 by 80 cm