Cenotaph cover

Title

Cenotaph cover

Year/Period

18th century

Region

Turkey

Object Type

calligraphy (visual works), funeral decorations

Material

lampas (textile material), silk (textile)

Technique

calligraphy (process), protolampas

Dimension

Object size: 95 x 66.5 cm (Frame),
Object size: 93.7 x 64.8 cm (Textile)

Accession No.

1995-03910

Collection of

Asian Civilisations Museum

This silk fragment was probably draped over a cenotaph (grave marker) in a funerary monument. The inscriptions ask for peace and blessing for Prophet Muhammad. Such covers usually mention the Prophet’s name as a reflection of the belief that the Prophet will intercede on behalf of his community on the Day of Judgement. It is believed that during this Day, all will be destroyed and the dead will be brought back to be judged by God.When the deceased is in the grave, it is believed that the two black angels of death, Munkar and Nakir, will interrogate the deceased on his/her faith. The inscriptions on this textile help the deceased to affirm his or her religious beliefs.