Fragmentary Cenotaph Cover with Qur'anic Calligraphy

Unknown

17th–18th century · Silk; lampas · Islamic Art

This rectangular silk textile shows a design of chevron bands containing calligraphic inscriptions comprising verses of the Qur'an, invocations to God, and the shahada, or Muslim profession of faith ("There is no God but God, and Muhammad is his Messenger"). This type of textile covered important Ottoman tombs, and recalls the kiswa fabrics woven in similar designs, but of much larger scale, annually sent by the Ottoman sultans to adorn the Ka'ba in Mecca.

Artist

Unknown

Date

17th–18th century

Medium

Silk; lampas

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

The Friedsam Collection, Bequest of Michael Friedsam, 1931