- 67
Nasir al-Din al-Tusi (d.1274 AD), Tahrir al-majisti ('Exposition of Almagest', a commentary by al-Tusi), Persia, Ilkhanid, first half 14th century
Estimate
40,000 - 60,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- bound paper manuscript
Arabic manuscript on paper, 103 leaves plus 2 flyleaves, 27 lines to the page, written in nasta'liq script in black ink, numerous charts and diagrams, keywords picked out in red, red morocco binding with floral cartouches stamped on either side with ropework border
Condition
in generally good overall condition, some paper repairs to leaf edges and beginning and end of manuscript, foxing, minor waterstains, binding worn, spine repaired, minor wormholes, as viewed.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
The present manuscript represents an important early work of Nasir al-Din al-Tusi's landmark astronomical commentary tahrir al-majisti.
In the preface al-Tusi gives credit to Husam al-Din al-Hasan Ibn Muhammad al-Sivasi, the thirteenth-century astronomer, for contributing to the work (see Mathematicians, Astronomers & Other Scholars of Islamic Civilisation and their Works (7th – 19th c.), Istanbul, 2003, p. 221, no.613). The introduction of the present manuscript mentions that the work consists of thirteen maqalah, one hundred and forty one fasl and one hundred and ninety six shakl (diagrams), and was translated by Hunayn Ibn Ishaq (d.873 AD) and revised by Thabet Ibn Qurrah (d.901 A.D.).
The work was originally composed in thirteen articles by Ptolemy (d.168 AD), and first translated into Arabic by al-Hajaj Ibn Yousef Ibn Mattar by the order of the Caliph al-Ma'mun during the first half of the ninth century. Al-Nayrizi (d. circa 922) and al-Tabani both wrote commentaries on the work, but al-Tusi's became the leading version when it was completed in 1247 AD.
In the preface al-Tusi gives credit to Husam al-Din al-Hasan Ibn Muhammad al-Sivasi, the thirteenth-century astronomer, for contributing to the work (see Mathematicians, Astronomers & Other Scholars of Islamic Civilisation and their Works (7th – 19th c.), Istanbul, 2003, p. 221, no.613). The introduction of the present manuscript mentions that the work consists of thirteen maqalah, one hundred and forty one fasl and one hundred and ninety six shakl (diagrams), and was translated by Hunayn Ibn Ishaq (d.873 AD) and revised by Thabet Ibn Qurrah (d.901 A.D.).
The work was originally composed in thirteen articles by Ptolemy (d.168 AD), and first translated into Arabic by al-Hajaj Ibn Yousef Ibn Mattar by the order of the Caliph al-Ma'mun during the first half of the ninth century. Al-Nayrizi (d. circa 922) and al-Tabani both wrote commentaries on the work, but al-Tusi's became the leading version when it was completed in 1247 AD.