An Important Curtain from the Tomb of the Prophet (Hujrat al-Qabr al-Nabawi al-Sharif) in Medina with the tughra of Sultan Abdulhamid, Ottoman, Dated A.H. 1297/ A.D. 1879-1880

of rectangular form, the silver and silver-gilt metal threads embroidered on a black and coloured silk ground, the upper section with four bands of calligraphy on alternating red and green grounds, a further narrow band below on a black ground and a large red and green ogival cartouche at the bottom with further inscriptions, the interstices filled with scrolls, the border with rosettes in red medallions separated by leaf scrolls

Staining and abrasion
"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."

inscriptions
In the top three bands: Qur'an, surah al-An'am (VI), 54.

In the black cartouche:

amara bi-'amal hadha al-sitara al-sharifa hadrat mawlana al-'azam al-sultan 'abd al-hamid khan nasarahu allal amin

'His Majesty, our Most great Lord Sultan 'Abd al-Hamid Khan - may God help him, Amen! - ordered the making of this noble covering'

In the middle (3 bands):

jadada hadhihi al-sitara al-sharifa hadrat mawlana al-a'zam efendina 'abbas pasha hilmi khedivi misr al-mahrusa ibn al-marhum muhammad tawfiq pasha adama allah 'izzahu sana 1297

'His Excellency our Most great Lord Efendi 'Abbas Pasha Hilmi, the Viceroy of the Protected Egypt, son of the late Muhammad Tawfiq Pasha - may God make his glory everlasting- renewed this Noble cover [in] the year A.H. 1297/A.D. 1879-1880'

A piece with similar inscriptions is in the Topkapi Palace Museum, dated 1325 (A.D. 1907-1908) (Tezcan 1996, cat. 17, p.64).