Hajj & the Arts of Pilgrimage

Professor Sir Nasser D. Khalili Collection

A collection of over 250 wire embroidered textiles associated with Hajj, many of which were made for the two holy sanctuaries at Mecca & Medina. Conservation took place over a period between 2007 to 2022.

The textiles ranged from 3D shrine covers for the Maqam Ibrahim dated 1855 and mahmal covers to flat sitarahs and hizams.

Materials: black silk, with coloured silk appliqués, heavily embroidered in silver and silver-gilt wire over cotton thread padding.

Treatment Included

  • •Pest treatment – warm air regulated treatment.
  • •Testing for colour fastness and pH levels to determine the best solution for cleaning.
  • •Removal of the layers of linings – typically three to four linings per textile.
  • •All layers were controlled suction cleaned with a variable speed museum vacuum through a mesh screen.
  • •Silver gilt wires which were mis-aligned were restored to their original position and stitched down.
  • •Tears and areas of severe abrasion were supported using laid thread couching, slip, herringbone and whip conservation stitches.
  • •Many of the textiles were re-lined with a black cotton drill.
  • •Made to measure frameworks were designed and constructed for 3D pieces.
  • •Specialist cleaning of copper-alloy finials.

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