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CultureOttoman Turkish
Titles
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Datelate 17th century or later
MediumSilk; woven with metallic thread
DimensionsOverall: 115 7/8 × 91 3/4 in. (294.3 × 233 cm)
Credit LineMuseum purchase funded by Rania and Jamal H. Daniel; Lily and Hamid Kooros; Dr. Aziz Shaibani; and the 2021 Art of the Islamic Worlds Gala
Object number2021.317
Non exposé

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Object Type
DescriptionThis shield-shaped banner (sanjak or sançak in Turkish) follows the characteristic format for these banners. The prominent, centrally located
bifurcated sword with a dragon-headed hilt is known as Dhu’l Fiqar. This sword represents military victory and is thought to have belonged
to ‘Ali, the cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet. The surrounding roundels are inscribed with the names of Allah, the Prophet Muhammad,
as well as Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and ‘Ali, the first four leaders of the Muslim community. These banners were likely used as military
and religious symbols and carried on military campaigns and on pilgrimage to Mecca.
ProvenanceColin Tennant, Lord Glenconner (1926–2010); [Maharukh Desai, Goa, India, early 1980s]; purchased by MFAH, 2021.

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

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