- 90
An Ottoman curtain from the Maqam Ibrahim at Mecca, period of Sultan 'Abd al-Hamid II (r.1876-1909), Turkey, circa 1900
Estimate
15,000 - 20,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- textile
of tapered rectangular form, the black silk ground with applied green and red panels, embroidered with silver and gilt threads, with arched cartouches framing Qur'anic inscriptions, including between two columns on lower section and featuring a tughra above, the background with scrolling foliage within line borders
Condition
Scattered tears with associated restoration, re-backed, with velcro to top, dents and looseness to some of metal threads, 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."
"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 green panel: Qur’an, chapter II (al-baqarah), part of verse 125
In the red panel: Qur’an, chapter III (al-‘imran), part of verse 97
In the black cartouche/panel:
al-Sultan ‘Abd al-Hamid Khan Ibn al-Sultan al-Maghazi ‘Abd al-Majid Khan Ibn al-Sultan Mahmud Khan Ibn al-Sultan ‘Abd al-Hamid Khan
‘The Sultan, ‘Abd al-Hamid son of the warrior Sultan ‘Abd al-Majid Khan son of al-Sultan Mahmud Khan son of al-Sultan ‘Abd al-Hamid Khan’
In the red panel above the black cartouche:
Allah jalla jalalahu/muhammad rasul Allah
‘God, exalted be He. Muhammad, Messenger of God’
The tughra should be that of Sultan ‘Abd al-Hamid II (1293-1327 AH/1876-1909 AD), but is unfortunately damaged and difficult to read.
The tapered upper section is characteristic of a group of curtains also made for Maqam Ibrahim (Abraham's place of standing), the shrine built to conserve the footprint believed to have been made by Abraham when he was lifting stone blocks to build the Ka‘ba at Mecca. Prior to its rebuilding in 1940, Maqam Ibrahim had a distinctive sloping top and all curtains made to cover the shrine reflected its truncated pyramidal form (see Ibrahim Rafa'at Pasha, Marat al-Haramein, Part I, Cairo, 1344 AH/1925 AD, pl.53).
In the green panel: Qur’an, chapter II (al-baqarah), part of verse 125
In the red panel: Qur’an, chapter III (al-‘imran), part of verse 97
In the black cartouche/panel:
al-Sultan ‘Abd al-Hamid Khan Ibn al-Sultan al-Maghazi ‘Abd al-Majid Khan Ibn al-Sultan Mahmud Khan Ibn al-Sultan ‘Abd al-Hamid Khan
‘The Sultan, ‘Abd al-Hamid son of the warrior Sultan ‘Abd al-Majid Khan son of al-Sultan Mahmud Khan son of al-Sultan ‘Abd al-Hamid Khan’
In the red panel above the black cartouche:
Allah jalla jalalahu/muhammad rasul Allah
‘God, exalted be He. Muhammad, Messenger of God’
The tughra should be that of Sultan ‘Abd al-Hamid II (1293-1327 AH/1876-1909 AD), but is unfortunately damaged and difficult to read.
The tapered upper section is characteristic of a group of curtains also made for Maqam Ibrahim (Abraham's place of standing), the shrine built to conserve the footprint believed to have been made by Abraham when he was lifting stone blocks to build the Ka‘ba at Mecca. Prior to its rebuilding in 1940, Maqam Ibrahim had a distinctive sloping top and all curtains made to cover the shrine reflected its truncated pyramidal form (see Ibrahim Rafa'at Pasha, Marat al-Haramein, Part I, Cairo, 1344 AH/1925 AD, pl.53).