Sitara, Interior Door Curtain of the Ka'ba
This Sitara is a very rare example of a curtain that once hung inside the Bab al-Tawba (Door of Repentance) of the Ka‘ba, the structure in Mecca that Muslims believe is the house of God on earth. The Ottoman sultan’s name, Abdülhamid II, who had the imperial prerogative of ordering the replacement of textiles for the Ka‘ba, appears in the fifth line beneath four qur’anic cartouches. A medallion-like calligraphic composition in the center of the lower half contains the name and titles of ‘Abbas Hilmi Pasha, seeking with this offering blessing for him and his family.
Such a centralized design emphasizes the political prominence of the local ruler of Egypt, who oversaw production of the textile at the Warshat al-Khurunfish in Cairo and its transportation during the hajj.
Such a centralized design emphasizes the political prominence of the local ruler of Egypt, who oversaw production of the textile at the Warshat al-Khurunfish in Cairo and its transportation during the hajj.
Artwork Details
- Title: Sitara, Interior Door Curtain of the Ka'ba
- Patron: Sultan Abdülhamid II (r. 1876–1909)
- Workshop director: Workshop of Warshat al-Khurunfish , overseen by 'Abbas Hilmi Pasha, governor of Egypt
- Date: dated 1315 AH/1897–98 CE
- Geography: Made in Egypt, Cairo
- Medium: Silk; embroidered with heavy silver and silver-gilt thread with additional colored silk panels
- Dimensions: H. 110 1/2 in. (280.7 cm)
W. 63 in. (160 cm) - Classification: Textiles
- Credit Line: Gift of Professor Maan Z. Madina, in memory of his mother, Najiyya Khanum al-Kurdi, 2009
- Object Number: 2009.59.1
- Curatorial Department: Islamic Art
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shortly after 1285
ca. 1500
late 13th century
early 16th century
Ahmad ibn Husayn al-Mosuli
ca. 1296–1321
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