صورة رجل من بني شيبة؛ مكلف بسدانة الكعبة

Content
Genre/Subject Matter:

This full-length length standing portrait shows a member of the Banī Shaybah, a gatekeeper of the Caaba.

The title notes that descendents of the Shaybah family have held this office since pre-Islamic times.

The man stands facing forward and wears a pale-coloured turban and dark outer robe over a quilted or embroidered robe.

The negative has had hand-work applied, causing the image to take on a soft-shaded paint-like quality in places. In particular the original background has been substituted completely and patterns in the carpet as well as the man’s pale robe have been re-inscribed in the negative.

Inscriptions:

Printed above image, in ink:

IX

Printed beneath image, in ink:

‘Thorhüter der Ka’bah (aus der Schēbah-Familie, die seit vorislamischer Zeit dies Amt innehat).’

A circular 'British Museum' blind stamp is located in the lower right corner.

Extent and format
1 collotype print
Physical characteristics
Dimensions:

246 x 183 mm

Format:

1 collotype print

Condition:

The print is in good condition.

Foliation:

‘IX’

Written in
German in Latin script