An Ottoman silk and metal thread embroidered silk curtain, probably Egypt, the text on this piece, which is possibly a section of four pieces, (texts are incomplete and would have continued on other sides) contains: Qur'an, chapter II (al-Baqarah), part of verse 125 in the top panel; Qur'an, chapter II (al-Baqarah), part of verse 260 and chapter III (Al 'Imran), part of verse 96 in the middle panel; and Qur'an, chapter XVII (al-'Isar'), verse 84 in the lower panel with 'God, exalted be His glory' and 'Muhammad, God bless him and grant him salvation' in its top corners, 263cm x 119cm on later black velvet backing Translates as: and when we made the house [Mecca] and when Abraham said "my lord, now show me how you give life to the dead" the first house of worship established for mankind [Mecca] say, each works according to his manner, but your lord is most knowing of who is best guided in way Each of these sections starts with the blessing "bismillah al-rahman al-rahim" and the words "allah" and "muhammad" have sections on either side of the lowest panel. Provenance: From a Private Collection Condition Report: wear to silk and tears, fading to silk and some staining throughout some losses and damage to metal thread Condition Report Disclaimer