Embroidered mat, Mecca, 1919 (c)

Embroidered mat from Mecca given to Colonel George Oliver Turnbull (1877-1970), 26th Punjabis, by the Minister of War of the Hejaz (now Saudi Arabia), 1919 (c).

Embroidered rectangular mat with rounded ends; faded green damask central lateral line and edges of silver embroidery.

The mat is a panel of the Kisira or Holy Carpet which was hung over the Black Stone, a relic forming the eastern cornerstone of the Kaaba at Mecca, the object of Muslim pilgrims. It was given to Colonel Turnbull when 2,500 Indian Muslim soldiers of the British Force in the Middle East were allowed to perform a pilgrimage.