AN OTTOMAN METAL-THREAD CURTAIN OF THE HOLY KAABA DOOR (BURQA)

Of rectangular form, embroidered in silver and silver-gilt thread over a black silk ground, the surface broken into cartouches of various shapes and sizes containing inscriptions in naskh and thuluth, the interstices filled with vegetal designs, a large silver inscription halfway up on gilt embroidered ground enclosing Quran 48 surah Al-Fath or Triumph v. 27, Stylised further with four cartouches enclosing Ayat Al-Kursi "the throne verse of surah Al-Baqarah v.266.

The upper section with archways stylised with mosque lamps and four small cartouches enclosing basmallah, above a rectangular cartouch enclosing Quran 17 surah Al-Isra v. 80.

The middle section with two roundels enclosing surah al-Ikhlas and Quran 48 Al-Fath v. 29. In the tear-shaped hanging between the two panels the name of the Sultan Selim III with the dating 1205 AH in gilt thread on turqouise ground. On either side of door slip embroidered with surah al-Ikhlas, below two cartouches enclosing Quran 104 surah Quraysh with four verses. On both sides two panels containing prominent inscriptions in silver wires within a broad border of praise of the prophet ‘Prayer and peace be upon you, O Messenger of Allah’. Below with a narrow band in gilt wires containing prayers for the four righteous caliphs Abu Bakr, ‘Umar, ‘Uthman and ‘Ali as well as for the companions of the Prophet. The inner border is further stylised with cartouches enclosing surah al-Ikhlas and Quran verses, with floral motifs amongst a dense design of foliage. 490 by 222 cm.