Panel from the Hizam (or Belt) of the Ka‘bah

Location: Mecca, Saudi Arabia

Materials: black and green-coloured silk; embroidered with gold and silver thread and strips of flattened gold and silver wire, over padding

Dimensions: 590 x 90 cm

Accession Number: TXT 39A

Other Notes:

This is one of eight panels that form the hizam (‘belt’), an inscribed band that encircles the upper part of the Ka‘bah. This panel, which would have been on the south side, is embroidered with verses 95-97 from surah Al ‘Imran (III). The text refers to ‘the religion of Abraham’, ‘the first house of worship that was in Mecca’ and ‘the Station of Abraham’.

Bibliography:

J.M. Rogers, The Arts of Islam. Masterpieces from the Khalili Collection, London 2010, cat.402, pp.338–9.