AN IMPORTANT OTTOMAN SILVER THREAD CURTAIN, WITH... Lot n° 229

AN IMPORTANT OTTOMAN SILVER THREAD CURTAIN, WITH THE TUGHRA OF SULTAN MAHMUD II AN IMPORTANT OTTOMAN SILVER THREAD CURTAIN, WITH THE TUGHRA OF SULTAN MAHMUD II _x000D_ Sultan Mahmud II (r. A.H. 1223-55/A.D. 1808-39) _x000D_ 19th century, rectangular, the black silk ground profusely embroidered in silver and silver gilt thread, with applied panels in red and gold silk, the upper section with a pair of calligraphic roundels centred by a hanging mosque lamp, with a further roundel below flanked by a pair of spirally turned columns, the ground filled with scrolling floral tendrils, within a decorative border of scrolling lotus buds, with later black cotton backing, _x000D_ 259.5cm x 149cm _x000D_ Inscriptions: _x000D_ In the two top roundels: _x000D_ allah jalla jalalahu / muhammad 'alayha al-salam _x000D_ 'God, may His splendour be exalted! Muhammad, may peace be upon him!'. _x000D_ In between the two roundels: the signature of Sultan Mahmud in tughra form: _x000D_ 'Mahmud the conqueror son of 'Abd al-Hamid wrote it'. _x000D_ In the lamp, in mirrored-form: ya fattah 'O the Opener! [of all gates]'. _x000D_ In the two half-circle panels: Qur'an, surah al-Ahzab (XXXIII), 45 and a hadith of the Prophet. _x000D_ In the capitals: The shahada. _x000D_ In the gold roundel: Qur'an, surah al-'Umran (III), parts of 37. _x000D_ The two bands of inscriptions: Qur'an, surah al-Hashr (XLIX), 22 and 23. _x000D_ With the tughra of Sultan Mahmud II (r. A.H. 1223-55 / A.D. 1808-39). _x000D_ Foonote: _x000D_ The design of this curatin is typical of the embroideries produced in the period of Sultan Mahmud II, the spirally turned columns, garlands, ribbons and interwoven flowers are characteristic of the style of this era. Curtains of this type were used to cover the interior walls of the Shrine of the Prophet in the Mosque of the Prophet. These curtains were replaced upon the ascension of a new Sultan to the throne, they were then used to cover the tombs of the Sultans or distributed amongst favoured dignitaries. _x000D_ Auction Comparable: _x000D_ See Sotheby's, 24 October 2007, lot 39 for similar curtain from the tomb of the Prophet, in Medina, Ottoman, also with the tughra of Sultan Madmud II, sold for £356,000. _x000D_ A further example also featuring the hanging mosque lamp visible in the present design was sold at Sotheby's, 9 April 2008, lot 40, £168,000.