This fragment comes from the kiswah, which is the huge curtain used to cover the walls of the Ka‘bah in Mecca. Judging from photographs, it probably comes from one of the four corners of the curtain. The medallion contains the Qur’anic chapter the Surah al-Ikhlas (Purity of Faith) arranged in a radial manner. Every year, the kiswah is replaced. The previous year’s piece is cut up, and sold or distributed as barakah (blessings) to pilgrims. From the Mamluk peiod to 1952, the kiswah was traditionally made in Egypt. A lavish camel caravan would carry the kiswah and, historically, it was presented by the leading Muslim regime of the time, to Mecca. The acceptance of the kiswah by the authorities in Mecca was an acknowledgment of the donor’s political power. Since 1962, the honour of bestowing the kiswah has belonged to the King of Saudi Arabia. This kiswah was made in a workshop in Mecca.
