Lot 66
  • 66

Jalal-al-Din Muhammad Rumi (d.1273 AD), Mathnavi Ma’navi, vol.VI, copied by Ibn al-Naqib al-Mevlevi al-Qunyavi, Anatolia, Tukat, dated 720 AH/1320 AD

Estimate
6,000 - 8,000 GBP
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Description

  • Arabic manuscript on buff paper, brown leather binding
Persian manuscript on paper, 124 leaves plus 6 flyleaves, 16 to 17 lines to the page, written in naskh script in dark brown ink, in two columns, intercolumnar rules in red, headings in ruled panels in gold, numerous marginal glosses, f.1b with illuminated headpiece composed of the bismillah in gold against scrolling vines on a hatched ground, modern red leather binding with gold ropework border and central floral medallions, with flap

Provenance

Two 19th-century seal impressions and inscription of a previous owner, ‘Abdul-Latif Ibn Wafi

Condition

In generally good overall condition, numerous pages with shadowing as ink appears through the paper, some minor splits and paper repairs, very minor water stains, modern replacement binding, 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."

Catalogue Note

Jalal-al-Din Muhammad Rumi was a Persian poet, jurist, Islamic scholar and Sufi mystic. Rumi was born either in the village of Waksh in the greater Balkh region in present-day Tajikistan or the city of Balkh located in present-day Afghanistan. Greater Balkh was at the time a major centre of Persian culture and Sufism, and he was influenced by the Persian poets ‘Attar and Sanai. He wrote his major work, Mathnavi Ma’navi in six volumes containing twenty-seven thousand lines of mystical poetry, in Konya where he is buried. It is interesting to note that the scribe of the present manuscript should be a Sufi from Konya where Rumi wrote his Mathnavi.

The colophon states that the manuscript was copied by Muhammad Ibn Muhammad Ibn Mahmud al-Razi (better known as Ibn al-Naqib al-Mevlevi al-Qunyavi) in the al Ma’inniyeh Madrasa in the town of Tukat (located near Sivas and Kayseri). Anatolia was ruled by the Seljuqs of Rum from 1081-1307 AD, and this manuscript was copied shortly after their fall. This volume can be considered an early copy of Rumi’s work since it was written within fifty years after his death.