Cenotaph Cover
17th century
Description
The Prophet Muhammad was buried in the southeastern corner of his mosque in Medina. Like the annual textiles sent to furnish the Kaʿba in Mecca, special textiles were made for the Prophet’s tomb. These included silk curtains and door covers. This kind of green-ground zig-zag textile once formed part of an interior fabric for his tomb. Its thuluth inscriptions focus on prayers upon God, Muhammad, and the four orthodox caliphs and companions of the prophet. It was likely later cut up and reused as a tomb cover.
Dimensions
138 x 67.5 cm (54 5/16 x 26 9/16 in.)
Provenance
Stuart Cary Welch (by 1999 - 2008,) by descent; to his estate (2008-2009,) gift; to Harvard Art Museum. Notes: Object was part of long-term loan to Museum in 1999.
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