Alexandre J, the brand known for crafting beguiling scents and perfumes, is
bringing the Damascene Mahmal, a 150-year old treasure to Dubai to coincide
with the holy month of Ramadan. The breathtaking piece is reflected at centre
stage within The Dubai Mall Souq Atrium from July 9th to August 15th 2013.
Along with this beautiful piece Alexandre J's reveals it's most exquisite and
exclusive perfume “Legacy” –available at Bloomingdales.
The Mahmal, crafted out of ornate silver and gold
calligraphy on silk, was designed for camelback, and was used to carry the
Kiswah of the Holy Ka’aba in Mecca. The Kiswah is the black cloth that covers
in full the Ka’aba: it is draped annually on the 9th day of the month of Dhu
al-Hijjah (Zu Al-Hijja), the day pilgrims leave for the plains of Mount Arafat
during the Hajj.
Originally commissioned by Sultan Abdulhamid II of the
Ottoman Empire who reigned from 1876 AD to 1909 AD as the 99th
caliph of Islam and 34th sultan of the Empire, the Mahmal’s
tent-like shape is adorned with fine handcrafted and embroidered decoration
made with heavy and elegant silver and gold thread calligraphy backed with red,
green, and yellow silk.
Alexandre J, the man behind the brand is a decisively
contemporary French designer, artist, and modern and ancient art enthusiast who
want to share his vision with the world. His aim in bringing the Mahmal to
Dubai is part of his ethos of appreciating and sharing timeless creations
imbued with significance and historic value.
“This Mahmal is not just gorgeously crafted, but also
has a historic and cultural significance that extends far beyond passing fads.
The purpose of bringing this exquisite piece and displaying it at the Dubai
Mall is to share a work of great beauty that also has religious connotations”
said Alexandre J
The calligraphy on the Mahmal uses strong thuluth
inscription characterized by curved letters written with barbed heads in thick
silver wiring, some of which are densely coated in gold. The interplay of the
letters creates an impression of complexity and constant movement.
“Alexandre J’s philosophy has always been to appreciate
timeless perfection. The man, and the brand, shies away from passing trends and
frenzied auto-mechancial pace to pay homage to genuine craftsmanship and
artistry. Alexandre has always extended this philosophy to his art and perfume
creations, and wants to share this ethos with the world”
Each of the Mahmal’s four top corners is topped by a
copper head, with the centre apex plated in silver and wrapped with a small
flag inscribed with the shahada: “There is no god but God; Muhammad is the
messenger of God”.
“The piece of art takes the spotlight at the Dubai Mall
at the right time, in the holy month of Ramadan. Not only will patrons get to
enjoy a piece of beauty tremendous cultural and religious significance, but
also tranquilly reflect on what it means. It is a message that the hectic pace
of here and now is sometimes less important than timeless art and history,” added
Alexandre J.
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