Ancient Artifact Review 124 : Antique Ottoman Talismanic Embroided Sitara / silk cloth panel dated 1168 AH ( 1754 CE)

This item is a talismanic or devotional embroidered silk cloth panel (likely an architectural wall hanging, Sitara, or ceremonial Alam cover).

Visual & Physical Description

• Material & Ground Fabric: Made of a woven light-greenish gold satin-silk fabric displaying natural horizontal creasing and age patina.

• Embroidery Technique: Features couched or stitched red silk/cotton thread for the central Arabic inscriptions, creating a high-contrast raised calligraphic text field.

• Border Ornamentation: Surrounded by a decorative embroidered border of delicate floral vines, red/pink poppy-like blossoms, green foliage, and small multicolored florets lining the edges.

• Calligraphic Style: Formatted in ornamental Naskh / Thuluth script arranged across three distinct horizontal text registers.

Translation of the Arabic Inscriptions

Top Center Section (Invocation / Tawasul)

{مَدَدْ ۞ يَا مُحَمَّدُ يَا عَلِيُّ}

• Transliteration: Madad ... Yā Muḥammad, Yā ‘Alī

• Translation: “Succor / Divine Help! O Muhammad! O Ali!”

Middle Main Line (Quran 61:13 — First Part)

{نَصْرٌ مِّنَ اللَّهِ وَفَتْحٌ قَرِيبٌ}

• Transliteration: Naṣrun min Allāhi wa fatḥun qarīb

• Translation: “Victory from God and an imminent conquest...”

Lower Main Line (Quran 61:13 — Second Part & Invocation)

{وَبَشِّرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ۞ يَا مُحَمَّدُ يَا عَلِيُّ}

• Transliteration: Wa bashshiri al-mu’minīn ... Yā Muḥammad, Yā ‘Alī

• Translation: “...and give glad tidings to the believers. O Muhammad! O Ali!”

Complete Combined Reading

"Succor! O Muhammad! O Ali! Victory from God and an imminent conquest, and give glad tidings to the believers. O Muhammad! O Ali!"

Cultural & Historical Context

The pairing of Quran 61:13 (Surah As-Saff) with the invocation "Madad Ya Muhammad Ya Ali" is characteristic of Shi'a and Sufi devotional traditions. Textiles bearing this specific combination were commonly crafted in Qajar Iran, Ottoman Syria/Levant, or Indo-Persian workshops during the 19th to early 20th century as protective home banners or ritual banners used during religious commemorations.

There was a date 1168 AH embroided as well below the wordings. Floral border decorating this tombak. Bought in Istanbul.

Dim : 50in x 30in
Date : 1168 AH ( 1754 CE)
Material : Silk
Origin : Turkey