Calligraphic panel

h. 1286 [1858]

This panel (levha) by the calligrapher Mehmed Şefik, who studied under Kazasker Mustafa İzzet (d. 1876) and succeeded him in his posts teaching calligraphy, consists of the words, Yâ Hazreti Mevlana - kuddise sırruhu’l-a’lâ (O Lord Mevlana, may his holy secret be sacred). Inside the space formed by the word ‘Mevlana’ is a smaller composition in which the combined letters lam and alif are drawn to resemble the outstretched arms of a Mevlevi dervish performing the sema. At the lower left is the calligrapher’s signature, ‘Written by Şefîk (1)286’. In the upper corners are small sprigs. The composition is surrounded by a dark blue border.