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1902 |
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Tomb Cover
This is a Tomb cover. It is dated 18th century and we acquired it in 1902. Its medium is silk and its technique is lampas, 4&1 satin patterned by plain weave. It is a part of the Textiles department.
This green-ground tomb cover with cream calligraphy was likely produced in the renowned imperial silk-weaving workshops in Istanbul during the eighteenth century. The zigzag registers contain Islamic prayers glorifying the Prophet Muhammad and his traditional Companions: Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali. The design of this cover, the content of its inscriptions, and its green color indicate that it is a “Medina the Radiant” shroud, part of the Ottoman Sultan’s annual gift of fine coverings for the markers of the tomb of the Prophet (Ravza-i Mutahhara) and of the graves of the Companions in Medina. Red and black inscribed textiles were also sent each year to dress the Ka’ba in Mecca. After decorating one of the holiest sites in Islam, this cover was most likely returned to the Topkapι Palace (the Sultan’s seat of power in Istanbul), where pieces of it could have been recut as clothing, Qur’an covers, and tomb covers by the Ottoman elite.
This object was
donated by
John Pierpont Morgan.
It is credited Gift of John Pierpont Morgan.
Its dimensions are
H x W: 99.1 x 68.6 cm (39 x 27 in.)
It is inscribed
Woven inscriptions (translated): "May God be pleased with Abu Bakr and Umar and Uthman and Ali and with all the other companions (of the Prophet)" "God there is none but he - Muhammad" "Oh God, bless and give peace to their nobilities all the prophets and missionaries" "Blessing and peace upon you, the prophet of God"
Cite this object as
Tomb Cover; silk; H x W: 99.1 x 68.6 cm (39 x 27 in.); Gift of John Pierpont Morgan; 1902-1-835
