This silk fragment comes from the kiswah, the curtain used to cover the four walls of the Holy Ka'bah in Mecca. Embrodiered in gilt and silver threads, this piece features Qur'anic verses in monumental thulth script. The verse featured here talks about the pilgrimage. The kiswah is replaced each year and the pervious year's hanging is cut up, sold or distirbtued as barakah (blessings) to pilgirms. Such large fragments were usually presented to dignitaries.
