Textile ArtsNorth African17th century

Pilgrim's Banner

1683

Description

This object is derived from the Ottoman shield-shaped banners known as "sanjak." The decorative program consists of Arabic inscriptions enhanced with talismanic emblems and floral and geometric motifs. The two-bladed sword on the lower half of the banner is known as "Dhu 'l-Faqar. The blades bear an inscription from the Qur'an in Maghribi script. An abbreviated version of the same verse is written in the large horizontal band near the top of the banner.

Classification

Textile Arts

Medium

Silk, silver foil, and gilded silver foil. Lampas with foundation of warp-faced plain weave and discontinuous supplementary wefts bound in plain weave.

Culture

North African

Century

17th century

Division

Asian and Mediterranean Art

Department

Department of Islamic & Later Indian Art

Dimensions

369.6 x 211.8 cm (145 1/2 x 83 3/8 in.) Banner width:: 190.5 cm (75 in.)

Related Artworks

Textile Arts

Blackbird

Koloman Moser, 1910-1911

Ink on silk

20th centuryAustrian

Textile Arts

Towel

Unidentified Artist, 1600-1635

Linen

17th centuryItalian

Textile Arts

Buddhist Priest's Robe (Kesa) with Stylized Floral and Lozenge Decor

Unknown Artist, 19th century

Compound-weave silk with patterning in supplementary wefts; selected motifs embroidered with gold and polychrome silk threads

19th centuryJapanese

Textile Arts

Kimono with Decoration of Fish Scales over Bonito Stripes

Kumagaya Kōhakushi, circa 1975-1984

Dyed silk woven with gold thread (lined with white silk)

Textile Fragment of the Hōreki era with Design of Crane and Flower

Unknown Artist

Japanese

Textile Arts

'Pojagi' with Repeating Geometric Pattern

Unknown Artist, late 19th cent. - early 20th cent.

Stitched fabric; cut triangular pieces of dyed, silk damask, sewn together to form a square fabric; with appliqué decorative bow and knots; with white silk damask border

19th-20th centuryKorean