Description:

Lot 155. A CALLIGRAPHIC HAT, PROBABLY DERVISH, CENTRAL ASIA, 19TH CENTURY

A richly embroidered cylindrical hat, worked in metallic thread on a deep crimson velvet ground, with alternating bands of bold Thuluth script and scrolling arabesques. The inscriptions, densely composed in gilt thread, encircle the body and radiate across the crown, enclosing an intricate central medallion of interlaced calligraphy surrounded by cartouches of invocations and praises.

The outer border is adorned with foliate scrolls in gold and silver thread, punctuated by turquoise and green silk details that lend a subtle luminosity to the design. The interior is lined with soft pink silk, gathered at the apex and retaining its original form.

Such calligraphic caps were worn by Sufi dervishes and mystics across Central Asia and the wider Islamic world, serving both devotional and symbolic functions. The inscriptions—typically verses from the Qur’an, the Shahada, or invocations of divine unity—were believed to imbue the wearer with spiritual protection and blessing. This example’s precise needlework and harmony of colour demonstrate the refinement and spiritual artistry of 19th-century Central Asian textile craftsmanship.



Diameter: 18cm

Height: 9.5cm

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November 4, 2025 1:00 PM GMT
London, United Kingdom

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