Near East / Central Asia, Ottoman Empire, Turkish-Islamic culture, ca. 19th to early 20th century CE. An incredible cotton tunic shirt, hand woven in a plain weave-style then covered with colored ink and gold script of holy Islamic text, numbers, and symbols. The upper half contains squares and number grids all in red, blue, yellow, and black ink and gold details to add even more power to this cloth from the neck and shoulders to the waist. The round neck opening has a silk ribbon and an open slit that run from neck to navel and would function as an undergarment. Such clothing was believed to protect the wearer due to the written script which usually included verses from the Qur?an, declarations of faith, prayers, the names of Allah, or numbers (Abjad numerals), and symbols that have astrological or numerology significance. Astrologers gifted with calculating birth charts and powers of divination would create these shirts for the sultan or others of importance to wear under armor in battle. An intriguing example! Size: 30" L x 31.5" W (76.2 cm x 80 cm)

Provenance: Whisnant Gallery, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA acquired prior to 2000

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#169801

Tearing and losses to fabric along lower hem. Staining and discoloration as expected with age and use. Creases from storage with fading and losses to text and fraying of fabric along these fold lines. Excellent remains of written script and colored pigments.