AN OTTOMAN RED SILK KISWA, 19TH CENTURY

A fragment of the inner curtain of sacred kiswa for the inner wall of the Kabaa with an inscribed weave in cream-colored silk over a dark red ground. The crests of the chevrons are embellished with lamp motifs with circular medallions in between. The central band with prominent inscription of a verse from the Quran 2 surah Al-Baqarah verse-144. Below the band a repeating of ‘Kalimaat al-Tawhid. Above one repeated expression, ‘Ya Hannan’ (O, the Most-Compassionate) with ‘Praise be to Allah’ and (O, The All-sovereign) inside the circles. 25.5 by 71 cm.