An Ottoman marble Dervish Turban and Base - Turkey, 18th Century

the turban of rounded form, carved with vertical and horizontal folds, one side revealing a small carved out rose, the base with carved out square recess for column, the original square column stand included  approx. 20 cm. high(2) - Estimate: £4,000 - 6,000

Note: The marble turban and base would originally have embellished a tomb.

These types of tombstones reflected a person's status in Ottoman soiety. In this case, there is a rose concealed within the folds of the turban, which is a characteristic of the Dervish order known as Qadriyyah formed by Abdul Qadir Jilani (AD 1077-1166), a native of the Iranian province of Gilan. He was made principal of a Hanbalite school in Baghdad in 1134.

When he first arrived in Baghdad, the other Teachers of the city went out to meet him. They presented him with a bowl filled to the brim with water, meaning that there were already enough teachers in Baghdad. He manifested a rose in his hand and placed it on top of the water without spilling any. After this incident, he was known as the 'Rose of Baghdad' and the rose became the symbol of the Qadri dervishes. His works include Futuh al-Ghaib ('Revelations of the Unseen') and Jala' al-Khatir ('The Removal of Care').

The Order is the most widespread of the Sufi Orders in the Islamic world and can be found in India, Pakistan, Turkey, the Balkans as well as much of East and West Africa.

Bonhams. The Jacques Desenfans Collection, 10 Apr 2008. New Bond Street

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