Bidspirit auction | AN OTTOMAN MANUSCRIPT ILLUSTRATION OF

AN OTTOMAN MANUSCRIPT ILLUSTRATION OF THE MASJID AL-HARAM, MECCA, SIGNED FATEH MUHAMMAD AND DATED 1299 AH (1881/82 AD). - This is an Islamic manuscript illustration on paper depicting the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca. The central composition features the Kaaba at its centre, surrounded by the colonnaded courtyards, numerous minarets, and the undulating hills of the Hejaz in the background. The scene is rendered in watercolour. The illustration is framed by two distinct concentric borders. The inner border features a sage-green ground with dense Arabic calligraphy executed in gold pigment. The outer, wider border is of a terracotta hue, also containing intricate gold-painted calligraphy. In the lower-left corner of the central image, a small inscription in red ink reads Fateh Muhammad khat 1299 H, signifying the work was transcribed or executed by Fateh Muhammad in the year 1299 of the Hijri calendar, which corresponds to 1881/82 AD.  Approximately 48.3 x 38.3cm