Description of Calligraphic Artwork with Mevlevi Turban and the Two Islamic Testimonies of Faith
The exquisite artwork is a reproduction of an Ottoman calligraphy page from a Mevlevi dervish lodge (Tekke Levhasi). It dates to 1874 AD and is signed by the artist Fikri al Mawlawi. The image takes the form of a turban on an elaborate stool with plant motif details. The musenna form, inside the turban cap, is a sikke which is a tall camel's hair cap used by a
semazen (whirling dervish) during the sama (dhikr, remembrance of God) ritual. Symbolically, the sikke represents the tombstone of the ego. The thuluth calligraphy, inside the sikke, contains the supplication: يا حضرت مولانا هو (Ya Hadhrat Mawlana Hu) which translates to 'O Exalted Presence, Hu'. Hu refers to the Divine Aseity or Ipseity; In it is contained the mystery or secret to Divinity.
The right flag contains the first testimony of the Shahada which is la ilaha ila Allah (There is no god but God), while the flag on the left contains the second testimony which is Muhammadan Rasool Allah (Muhammad is the Messenger of God). The outer margins depict floral motifs in rococo style. Beneath the stool, the phrase 'Ya Hathrat Mawlana' is calligraphed once more.
Historically, the Mevlevi Order based was based in Konya and was founded by the disciples of Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Balkhi-Rumi, the famous 13th-century Persian theologian, mystic, and poet. The Mevlevi's are commonly known as Whirling Dervishes due to their practice during sama (dhikr).
Details of the Ottoman MevleviCalligraphic Panel
۩ Country of Origin: Bursa, Turkey
۩ Time Period: 1291 AH/ 1874 AD
۩ Artist: Fikri al-Mawlawi
۩ Size: Approximately 46 x 34 cm (including frame)
۩ Print: High-quality matte print and detail finishings
۩ Frame: Wood frame with a gold finish
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