A FRAGMENT OF A RAWADAH AL-MUTAHARAH CLOTH, TURKEY, 17TH CENTURY

A fragment of silk hanging panel in the Rawdah Al-Mutahara, this fabric was woven in the tribute-color kemha technique.With an inscribed weave in cream-colored and red silk over a light green ground. Embellished with an undulating band which assume the form of a continuous chain made up of number “7”s, running from the beginning to the end of the cloth, enclosing Quran 33 surah Al-Ahzab, the Clans, v. 56. Embroidered further above the band with Allah and Muhammed and Kalimaat al-Tawhid to the lower section. 35 by 80 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.