Prophets Mosque Sitra - 1718

Sitara for the Prophet’s Mosque, made in 1718

A sitara or sitarah (سِتَارَة) is an ornamental curtain used in the sacred sites of Islam. A sitara forms part of the kiswah, the cloth covering of the Kaaba in Mecca. Another sitara adorns the Prophet's Tomb in the Al-Masjid an-Nabawi mosque in Medina. These textiles bear embroidered inscriptions of verses from the Quran and other significant texts. Sitaras have been created annually since the 16th century as part of a set of textiles sent to Mecca. The tradition is that the textiles are provided by the ruler responsible for the holy sites. In different eras, this has meant the Mamluk Sultans, the Sultans of the Ottoman Empire, and presently the rulers of Saudi Arabia. The construction of the sitaras is both an act of religious devotion and a demonstration of the wealth of the rulers who commission them.

The earliest recorded sitara was made in Egypt in 1544, during the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent. Suleiman set aside the revenue of ten villages to fund the creation of textiles for the Kaaba and the Prophet's Mosque: an arrangement that continued until 1813. Replacing the textiles is one of the privileges of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, a title adopted by Mamluk, Ottoman, and Saudi Arabian rulers.

Our prints are made-to-order using the revered Giclée printing method, ensuring exceptional detail and vibrant colors. We prioritize quality by using archival grade pigment-based inks and acid-free, heavyweight 300 GSM photo paper for longevity. Each print is seamlessly framed in custom-made, durable wooden framing with shatter-resistant and UV shielding artist-grade acrylic. Your art will arrive ready to easily hang, be admired and hold its vibrancy for decades.

Medium
Beautifully printed on our rich matte-finished heavy 300GSM Giclée paper using only archival inks. Our substrates will last without fading for decades.

Frame
Hand crafted and made-to-order natural wood or painted wood frame.