A METAL-THREAD APPLIQUÉ BLACK SILK HIZAM FROM THE HOLY KA'BA IN MECCA

This hizam (belt) and that of the following lot are of the type that would have been placed at about two-thirds of the height of the exterior of the Ka’ba over the kiswa. They were typically divided into seven sections - the content of these on the more recent coverings is almost entirely Qur'anic, and examples of kiswa fragments that have previously appeared at auction testify to this. During the Ottoman period, however, the purpose of the inscription on the hizam, which was really the single most visible element of the kiswa, became also to glorify the Sultan, who as Caliph was accorded such an honour. A number of similar hizams are in public and private collections. One, attributed to 19th century Cairo, is in the Khalili Collection (Abu Dhabi, 2008, pp.338-339, no.402). Another is in the Topkapi Saray Museum (T.S.M.24/11; Bayhan, 2008, pp.182-189). Others have appeared on the art market. One, for example, sold at Christie’s, London, 17 April 2007, lot 19.