Lot 166 AN OTTOMAN METAL THREAD EMBROIDERED CURTAIN, TURKEY OR EGYPT, LATE 19TH CENTURY
Rectangular in form and richly embroidered in gilt threads on a predominantly green cotton ground, the composition is divided into two principal sections. The upper section features a rectangular panel bearing an inscription, surmounted by floral and laurel wreaths, and accompanied by a small inscribed cartouche. The lower section is composed of an elegant floral swag, crowned by two cartouches containing further inscriptions. Across the central field run three lines of inscriptions rendered in refined thuluth script, flanked on either side by three smaller inscription-filled cartouches. The entire composition is enclosed within a border of continuous repeating vegetal motifs. Dimensions: 163 by 300 cm.
Catalogue note: The inscriptions read as follows: On the upper central red cartouche: “This is the honorable sitārah for the Bab al-Salam” in the Prophet’s Mosque. On the central rectangular panel: verse 45 from Surah al-Ḥijr. Within the floral cartouches: the Shahadah (Kalimat al-Tawḥīd). In the central field: four lines of Ayat al-Kursi (the Throne Verse, 2:255 from Surah al-Baqarah), flanked by six cartouches enclosing the names of the Four Rightly Guided Caliphs, along with Hasan and Husayn.