Lot 24: An Ottoman Talismanic Shirt with Quranic Calligraphy and...
An Ottoman Talismanic Shirt with Quranic Calligraphy and Geometric Magic Squares, 19th-20th Century.
A finely decorated textile talismanic shirt of traditional form, cut with wide sleeves and a central opening, entirely covered in intricate handwritten calligraphy and geometric designs. The surface is densely inscribed in black, red, and blue inks, with sections highlighted in gold tones, arranged within panels, borders, and medallions.
The front displays a large central circular medallion filled with flowing Arabic script, surrounded by cartouches and square panels containing kufic-style geometric motifs and calligraphic blocks. The sleeves feature elongated rectangular panels with bold script, while the lower section is divided into further registers of text and decorative framing.
The reverse is equally elaborate, featuring a central diamond-shaped composition enclosing dense script, surrounded by concentric borders of finely written text. Additional square panels with kufic-style designs and repeating geometric grids appear across the surface, interspersed with smaller calligraphic inscriptions.
The inscriptions consist of Quranic verses, invocations, and protective prayers, arranged in a structured talismanic format traditionally associated with spiritual protection. The overall composition combines flowing cursive scripts with angular kufic elements, creating a highly detailed and visually balanced design.
H: Approximately 97cm
L: Approximately 102cm
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