Fragment of a Cenotaph Cover

This silk fragment was woven to adorn the interior wall of the Kaʿba, the holiest shrine in Islam located in Mecca. During the obligatory pilgrimage or Hajj to Mecca, visitors encounter this square building covered with a cloth known as the kiswa. Special textiles are commissioned annually to furnish the Kaʿba. During the Ottoman period, such textiles were funded by the sultans. This red and white textile inscribed in thuluth script with Qurʾanic verses and invocations was originally part of a larger internal kiswa made for the Kaʿba. After each year, such textiles were cut up and reused for various purposes, such as covering the graves of the deceased. This fragment likely experienced another context of reuse before entering the museum. Inscriptions: From the top to the bottom of the textile: Top zig-zag (1): phrases in praise of God Large zig-zag (2): in the lamps and medallions are invocations of God, “oh the munificent,” “oh the mighty,” “oh the sublime” Smaller zig-zig (3): Qurʾan: 2:144 (partial); “Many a time have we seen you turn your face towards the sky. We will make you turn towards a qiblah that will please you. Turn your face towards the Holy Mosque.” Top of another zig-zag (4): the shahada