This item has been added to the Database within the Explore Islamic Art Collections project. Information is available in: English, Arabic.

Name of Object:

Section from the kiswa of the Prophet’s tomb

Location:

London, United Kingdom

Holding Museum:

Khalili Family Trust – Hajj and the Arts of Pilgrimage Collection

About Khalili Family Trust – Hajj and the Arts of Pilgrimage Collection, London

Date of Object:

AD 18th century

Museum Inventory Number:

TXT 549

Material(s) / Technique(s):

Silk lampas with silver thread

Dimensions:

188 x 62cm

Period / Dynasty:

Ottoman

Provenance:

Turkey, Istanbul

Description:

This section from a kiswa of the Prophet’s tomb belongs to a small group of fragments in which the finely calligraphed thuluth inscriptions are woven in silver-wrapped silk thread on a deep raspberry-pink ground. Selin Ipek has suggested that, given the amount of silver used in its weaving, the kiswa from which they come must have been a special commission.

The vertical repeat consists of four wide zigzag bands alternating with four narrower ones; there are two horizontal repeats per loom width. The first wide band at the top of the textile has a supplication to God for blessings and peace upon Prophet. In the narrow band below that is sura al-Ikhlas (CXII), followed by the shahada in the wide band. Next is sura al-Ahzab (XXXIII), verse 56. The third wide band has Allahu wala siwahu (‘God and there is none equal to Him’), with a small flower under each of the words, Allah. Inscribed in the last narrow band in the repeat is sura al-Qasas (XXVIII), end of verse 88.

How date and origin were established:

Provenance and date based on a study by Selin Ipek.

How Object was obtained:

Acquired Sotheby’s, London, sale of 22 April 2015, lot 47.

Selected bibliography:

Ipek, S., “Ottoman Ravza-i Mutahhara Covers Sent from Istanbul to Medina with the Surre Processions”, Muqarnas, vol. 23 (2006): 289–316, especially p.305 and figure 23.

Citation of this web page:

 "Section from the kiswa of the Prophet’s tomb" in Explore Islamic Art Collections. Museum With No Frontiers, 2024. https://islamicart.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=object;EPM;uk;Mus22;38;en

MWNF Working Number: UK2 38