Title: Panel from the Belt of the Ka‘bah
Date: late 19th – early 20th century
Location: Cairo, Egypt
Materials: black silk, with red silk appliqués, embroidered in silver and silver-gilt wire over cotton thread padding
Dimensions: 97 x 99cm
Accession Number: TXT 292
Other Notes:
The panel, known as a kardashiyyah, is inscribed with surah al-Ikhlas (CXII), verses 1–4, around the invocation, ya Allah, repeater and mirrored in the centre. Four such panels were sent by Egypt every year. They were attached to the kiswah of the Ka‘bah, one for each corner of the building and positioned just below the belt or hizam. Similar square panels with circular inscriptions were also incorporated within the design of the belt itself.
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