A magnificent Ottoman silk, velvet and metal thread calligraphic band (Hizam) from the Holy Ka'ba at Mecca, early 20th century

of rectangular form, the black ground embroidered with silver and silver-gilt metal threads with a monumental frieze bordered by a minor bands of scrolling tendrils, applied pistachio silk spandrels with a calligraphic keyfret roundel and foliate forms 

in good condition, 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."

inscription

Qur'an, sura al-baqara (II), parts of 125

End roundel: Invocations to God

ya mannan, ya dayyan, ya subhan, ya hannan

'O The Bestowing One ! O The Requiting One ! O The Proof ! O The Yearning One!'

The four walls of the Ka'ba 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 Qur'anic verses. Each year, when the new kiswa arrives the guardians of the Ka'ba, 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. 

It is rare to find a hizam that survives in such excellent condition.  A comparable panel is in the Nasser D. Khalili Collection of Islamic Art, London, inv. no. TXT 39a (see Amsterdam 1999, no. 20, pp.84-85). Similar examples have sold in these rooms (16 October 1997, lot 72, and 21 October 1993, lot 255). But on the market in recent years there has only been one other hizam of such exceptional quality: that which recently sold through these rooms, 18 April 2007, lot 164. The similarity of these two pieces suggests that they were most probably made together as part of the same commission. Their dazzling beauty is enhanced by the use of velvet rather than silk, which provides a sumptuous ground for the bold, high-relief inscriptions.