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 gilt cartouche with rounded ends enclosing in gilt wires embroidered two verses of Quran 22 surah the Hajj (the Pilgrimage) v.27-v.28 in large elegant thuluth script with a band of meandering leafy silver vine above and below. Further flanked to both sides with two circular gilt metal threads embroidered panels enclosing in gilt wires surah Al-Ikhlas on a silver metal threads embroidered ground with the word of 'Allah' on a green silk ground. The other circular roundel contains four names of Allah on a silver embroidered ground with the name of the prophet 'Muhammed' on a green silk ground. 730 by 120 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.