Lot 40
  • 40

An Important early curtain from the tomb of the Prophet (Hujrat al-qabr al-nabawi al-sharif) in medina, Ottoman, period of Sultan Ahmet III (r.1703-1730), dated A.H.1124/A.D.1712

Estimate
80,000 - 120,000 GBP
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Description

of rectangular form, the black silk ground applied with red and green panels, embroidered with silver and silver-gilt metal threads, with a central calligraphic mosque lamp above a pendant cartouche flanked by half columns and framed by an archway decorated with scrolling split-palmettes, bordered by cusped rectangular calligraphic cartouches and scrolling bands interspersed with calligraphic roundels

Condition

some tears to the coloured silk fields, metal threads recently cleaned, overall good, as viewed
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Catalogue Note

inscriptions

In the roundels, the names of: Abu Bakr, 'Umar, 'Uthman, 'Ali, Talha ibn 'Ubayullah, Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas.

In the top cartouche:

Qur'an, surah al-Fath (XLVIII), 8

In the cartouche above the arch: A saying of the Prophet

In the border cartouches:

Qur'an, surah al-Jum'a (LXII), 9-11.

In the cartouche between columns: An invocation to the Prophet followed by:

amara bi-tajdid hadha al-sitara al-mubaraka mawlana al-sultan ahmad khan ibn muhammad khan khallad allah mulkuhu sana 1124

'Our lord Sultan Ahmad Khan son of Muhammad Khan - may God make his kingdom eternal - ordered the renewal of this blessed cover. The year 1124 (1712-13)'

In the hanging lamp in mirror writing:

ya fattah

'O The Opener of Doors!'