Lot 54: AN ILLUMINATED PILGRIMAGE PANEL DEPICTING THE MASJID AL-HARAM IN MECCA

This square Ottoman illuminated pilgrimage panel is executed in opaque watercolour, ink, and gold leaf on paper. The central composition features a detailed representation of the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca, showing the Kaaba draped in the black kiswa at the centre of the courtyard. The sanctuary is depicted with its surrounding arcades and several Ottoman-style minarets against a landscape of arid hills and palm trees. This central scene is enclosed by multiple concentric calligraphic borders. The innermost border consists of gold Thuluth script on a crimson ground. This is followed by a broad border featuring the Ayat al-Kursi (Throne Verse) in blue Thuluth script on a cream background. An interstitial band contains the ninety-nine Names of Allah inscribed within small diagonal cartouches. The outermost broad border contains repetitive litanies of praise starting with Subhanaka in gold on a red ground. The entire composition is finished with a fine geometric repeating border and is mounted on a green support. In the lower-left corner of the central miniature painting. 

61 by 61cm