Lot 127: A LARGE REVERSE GLASS VIEW OF MECCA AND THE MASJID AL-HARAM OTTOMAN, CIRCA 1900

Depicting a birds-eye perspective of the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca. The central composition features the Kaaba situated within the circular Mataf area, surrounded by the mosque’s architecture including multiple minarets and green-domed structures, set against a mountainous background. This central scene is flanked by two vertical panels, each containing a vase of pink flowers positioned within a gilded arched niche or mihrab, surmounted by a small clock face.

The work is executed using the reverse-glass technique, where pigments and gold-toned paint are applied to the posterior surface of the glass pane. It is housed in a hand-painted blue wooden frame.

Several cartouches containing Arabic calligraphy in naskh or thuluth script are present:
Top centre red cartouche: فيه آيات بينات مقام إبراهيم (In it are clear signs [and] the Station of Abraham), an excerpt from Quran 3:97.
Bottom centre red cartouche: ومن دخله كان آمنا (And whoever enters it shall be safe), the continuation of Quran 3:97.
Top right red cartouche: حسبي الله وحده (Sufficient for me is Allah alone).
Bottom centre blue oval: منظر مكة المكرمة (View of Holy Mecca).

62 by 47cm