Description
The Mihrab or Qibla direction (The Muslims prayer direction towards Al-Kabba in the holly city of Mecca) wall hanging (Hayti) is of a rectangular form carefully executed through the use of a strict skimming or scraping technique to the fine Moroccan leather, this method is particularly used by the very skilled artists in the Moroccan city of Marrakesh.
The Mihrab motif is echoing a mosque’s arch-shaped niche.
The overall wall hanging is fully and beautifully decorated with various floral, vegetational and arabesque motives.
The front and backside of the wall hanging is also embroidered and outlined with additional silk threads decoration.
There are three main inscribed panels carefully scraped in the form of the beautiful North African Maghribi Kufic style Arabic inscriptions:-
The first large inscription on the central upper part
(بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم وصلى الله على سيدنا محمد وآله )
(In the name of God the Most Gracious the Most Merciful, may Allah bless our master Muhammad and his family)
The second righthand side inscribed roundel.
(وما توفيقي ألا بالله عليه توكلت وأليه أنيب)
( Prosperity is given from God, I trust him and I turn to him when needed)
The third lefthand side inscribed roundel.
(فأنهُ خيرُ حافظٍ وهوَ أرحم إلراحمين)
(Allah is the ultimate Protector and he is the most Merciful of All)
The backside of the wall hanging is engraved with probably Sannat (The year) the numbers 211 is clearly visible, which is an indication to the year when this wall hanging was probably made 211 AH equals to 1211 AH equals to 1796 AD.
Condition:- Very Good, some tear and wear to leather.
Dimensions:
90 cm height.
53.5 cm width.
References:-
For similar Examples, please see
Arts Et Culture Du Maroc, Un Jardin D’Objets, ACR Edition, BY Marie-Rose Rabate and Andre Goldenberg.
The very similar (Muqashshat) Leather wall hanging (Hayti) decorated and made in the city of Marrakesh, the wall hanging belongs to the Museum of Dar Si Said In the city of Marrakesh, lot illustrated on page 228, 191 & 164-165.
MAROC, Les Artisans Du Cuir, By Marie-Rose Rabate, Magellan & Cie, Paris 1912, ISBN:978-2-35074-244-1,Publie avec la participation de la Fondation Jardin Majorelle.
The Leather Craftsmen Of Morocco, Please notice the similar piece illustrated on the book cover, also pages 42, 62, 63, 80 &147.