AN OTTOMAN METAL THREAD-EMBROIDERED HIZAM, EARLY 20TH CENTURY

A large Ottoman silk, velvet and metal thread calligraphic band from the holy Kabaa (Hizam), of rectangular form embroidered with gilt and silver metal wires. To the centre a large silver cartouche with rounded ends enclosing in gold wires two verses of Quran 22 surah the Hajj (the Pilgrimage) v.26-v.27 in thuluth script with a band of meandering leafy silver vine above and below. Further flanked to both sides with two circular silver panels enclosing in gold wires surah Al-Ikhlas and the name of Sultan Abdul Hamid II with his tughra surrounded by Arabic inscriptions which means ‘this Hizam is ordered to be made for Waqf, charitable endowment, of the sultan Mahmud II which was founded in 1231 AH/1815 AD. Approximately 715 by 90 cm.

CATALOGUE NOTE The four walls of the Kabaa are covered with a curtain (Kiswa) with the Shahada outlined in the weave. About two thirds of the way up runs a gold embroidered band (hizam) covered with Quranic verses. Each year, when the new Kiswa arrives the guardians of the Kaaba, the Banu Shayban, divide the old Kiswa up and distribute the pieces to honoured pilgrims. Entire surahs were apparently reserved for important dignitaries or rulers.