LONDON, 30 March 2006 — Bonhams, one of the world’s foremost auctioneers of fine art and antiques, will hold a sale of Islamic and Indian Art in London on April 6.
Included in the sale is a unique Islamic artifact which was once in Makkah; its pre-sale estimate is £250,000 to £300,000. The artifact, lot 184, is the external curtain of the door of the Kaaba.
It was made for the Ottoman Sultan Selim III, in the year 1220H /AD 1805. Made of black silk, the rectangular cloth is richly embroidered in silver and silver-gilt. A slit in the middle of the lower part indicates the opening of the portal.
The curtains and bands for covering the Kaaba were produced in Istanbul and Cairo, which were the centers of embroidery during the Mamluk and Ottoman periods.
It was customary to change the kiswa, hizam, and burqa annually on the 25th of Dul Qaada. The plain black cloth was cut up in pieces and given as presents to dignitaries performing the annual pilgrimage or sold to pilgrims.
