AN OTTOMAN SILVER AND GILT METAL-EMBROIDERED SITARA, DATED 1318 AH (1900–1901 AD)

An Ottoman sitara of black cotton ground, rectangular in form, profusely embroidered in gilt and silver metal thread, dated 1318 AH (1900–1901 AD). The composition is arranged around three mihrab-shaped panels, each containing passages from Ayat al-Kursi, enriched with scrolling foliage and floral ornament. The entire composition is enclosed within a richly embroidered geometric and foliate border.
The central mihrab features the tughra of Sultan Abdülhamid II, rendered in the form of a mosque hanging lamp. Surrounding it are small circular medallions bearing the names of the Four Rightly Guided Caliphs — Abu Bakr, 'Umar, 'Uthman and 'Ali — together with Hasan and Husayn.
The upper register is centred by a green-ground roundel inscribed with the hadith, “Between my grave and my pulpit is a garden from the gardens of Paradise,” flanked by two yellow-ground roundels bearing the Kalimat al-Tawhid. Rich floral sprays, arabesques and geometric ornament complete the highly elaborate composition.
230 by 150 cm.