Talisman

Protective talismans are commonplace in the Islamic world. In old Turkish houses in particular, an inscribed tile or board might have been placed directly above the entrance to offer protection to those who lived there. This textile is a rare example of such a talisman made of cloth, one of only two known. The other is held in the collection of Topkapi Palace Museum in Istanbul, Turkey. The embroidery details the plan of a mosque, complete with a courtyard, a mihrab, and a pulpit (minbar). The inscription at the bottom includes pleas to God on behalf of the owner for blessings and protection.