abu dervish: Ancient Artifact Review 105 : Antique Gold Embroidery Persian Wall Hanger with Kufi Calligraphy ( 19th Century)

الْعِزُّ لِلَّهِ ۞ الْمُلْكُ لِلَّهِ ۞ وَلَا غَالِبَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ

This item is a ceremonial/architectural calligraphic textile banner (an embroidered door valance or wall hanging, produced in the tradition of Ottoman or North African/Andalusian-revival ceremonial fabrics like the Kiswah or Sitara).

1. Script Style

The central calligraphic panel is rendered in Floriated / Plaited Kufic (al-Kūfī al-Muwaraq). In this style, the vertical shafts of the Arabic letters (alifs and lams) extend upward and interlock to form repeating, symmetrical architectural arches and palmette leaves.

2. Decipherment & Translation of the Inscriptions

Across the entire stitched length of the banner, the main field and borders contain repeating, foundational Islamic honorifics and royal mottos:

Main Central Field (Repeating Inside Arches)

\begin{aligned} \text{\textbf{Arabic Inscription:}} & \quad \text{\rltext{العِزُّ لِلَّهِ ... المُلْكُ لِلَّهِ}}[cite: 8, 9] \\ \text{\textbf{Transliteration:}} & \quad \textit{Al-'Izzatu lillāh ... Al-Mulku lillāh}[cite: 8, 9] \\ \text{\textbf{English Translation:}} & \quad \textbf{“Glory and Might belong to God... Sovereignty belongs to God.”}[cite: 8, 9] \end{aligned}

\begin{aligned} \text{\textbf{Arabic Inscription:}} & \quad \text{\rltext{العِزُّ لِلَّهِ ... المُلْكُ لِلَّهِ}}[cite: 8, 9] \\ \text{\textbf{Transliteration:}} & \quad \textit{Al-'Izzatu lillāh ... Al-Mulku lillāh}[cite: 8, 9] \\ \text{\textbf{English Translation:}} & \quad \textbf{“Glory and Might belong to God... Sovereignty belongs to God.”}[cite: 8, 9] \end{aligned}

\begin{aligned} \text{\textbf{Arabic Inscription:}} & \quad \text{\rltext{العِزُّ لِلَّهِ ... المُلْكُ لِلَّهِ}}[cite: 8, 9] \\ \text{\textbf{Transliteration:}} & \quad \textit{Al-'Izzatu lillāh ... Al-Mulku lillāh}[cite: 8, 9] \\ \text{\textbf{English Translation:}} & \quad \textbf{“Glory and Might belong to God... Sovereignty belongs to God.”}[cite: 8, 9] \end{aligned}

\begin{aligned} \text{\textbf{Arabic Inscription:}} & \quad \text{\rltext{العِزُّ لِلَّهِ ... المُلْكُ لِلَّهِ}}[cite: 8, 9] \\ \text{\textbf{Transliteration:}} & \quad \textit{Al-'Izzatu lillāh ... Al-Mulku lillāh}[cite: 8, 9] \\ \text{\textbf{English Translation:}} & \quad \textbf{“Glory and Might belong to God... Sovereignty belongs to God.”}[cite: 8, 9] \end{aligned}

Secondary Base Line / Border Motto

\begin{aligned} \text{\textbf{Arabic Inscription:}} & \quad \text{\rltext{وَلَا غَالِبَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ}}[cite: 8, 9] \\ \text{\textbf{Transliteration:}} & \quad \textit{Wa lā ghāliba illā Allāh}[cite: 8, 9] \\ \text{\textbf{English Translation:}} & \quad \textbf{“There is no victor but God.”}[cite: 8, 9] \end{aligned}

\begin{aligned} \text{\textbf{Arabic Inscription:}} & \quad \text{\rltext{وَلَا غَالِبَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ}}[cite: 8, 9] \\ \text{\textbf{Transliteration:}} & \quad \textit{Wa lā ghāliba illā Allāh}[cite: 8, 9] \\ \text{\textbf{English Translation:}} & \quad \textbf{“There is no victor but God.”}[cite: 8, 9] \end{aligned}

\begin{aligned} \text{\textbf{Arabic Inscription:}} & \quad \text{\rltext{وَلَا غَالِبَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ}}[cite: 8, 9] \\ \text{\textbf{Transliteration:}} & \quad \textit{Wa lā ghāliba illā Allāh}[cite: 8, 9] \\ \text{\textbf{English Translation:}} & \quad \textbf{“There is no victor but God.”}[cite: 8, 9] \end{aligned}

\begin{aligned} \text{\textbf{Arabic Inscription:}} & \quad \text{\rltext{وَلَا غَالِبَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ}}[cite: 8, 9] \\ \text{\textbf{Transliteration:}} & \quad \textit{Wa lā ghāliba illā Allāh}[cite: 8, 9] \\ \text{\textbf{English Translation:}} & \quad \textbf{“There is no victor but God.”}[cite: 8, 9] \end{aligned}

3. Physical & Historical Characteristics

Technique: Couching with heavy metallic gold/silver thread (Zardozi / Kallabatun) onto a silk or satin foundation.
Function: Suspended above doorways, interior arches, or mihrabs using the fabric loops sewn along the top edge.
Artistic Context: The inclusion of the famous Nasrid motto (Wa lā ghāliba illā Allāh) alongside classical Kufic phrasing indicates an Andalusian-revival style common in 19th- to early 20th-century Ottoman and North African luxury textile workshops.

Item : Embroided Kufi Wall Hanger
Date : 1900 CE
Dim : 600mm x 1300mm
Design : Arabic Prayer or excerpts from Al Quran embroided in Kufi script

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Sunday, November 24, 2019

Ancient Artifact Review 105 : Antique Gold Embroidery Persian Wall Hanger with Kufi Calligraphy ( 19th Century)