An Ottoman tortoiseshell, mother-of-pearl and ivory inlaid calligrapher's box, Turkey, 17th century

This lot contains ivory and other restricted materials. Sotheby's recommends that buyers check with their own government regarding any importation requirements prior to placing a bid. For example, US regulations restrictor prohibits the import of certain items (including ivory) to protect wildlife conservation. Please note that Sotheby's will not assist buyers with CITES licence applications where a buyer elects to either collect or arrange their own shipping, nor will Sotheby's assist with the international movement of ivory by air, either as freight or through hand carry. Sotheby's shipping will only assist in shipping the lot to either domestic UK or EU destinations, where delivery is made by road transport. Please note that CITES licences are required for the export of any restricted species from the UK, including to EU countries. A buyer's inability to export or import these lots cannot justify a delay in payment or sale cancellation.

Ex-collection Emmanuel Henri Victurnien de Noailles, French ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, 1882-86.

The interior of the box with a firman confirming the apportioning of waqf revenues for the provision of food for the dervish lodge (zaviye) of Abd al-Qadir Gilani in Tophane in Istanbul. The firman was reissued after the Shaykh of the lodge, a certain ‘Abd al-Rahman, along with a group of dervishes came to protest after someone had interfered with the waqf register. Next to the firman are notes detailing the various waqf revenues. The original firman was dated end of Shawwal 1099 AH/August 1688 AD. This reissue is dated Rajab 1297 AH/June-July 1880 AD and bears the the seal impression of an official called Husayn Sidqi also dated 1297 AH/1879-80 AD. The tughra is that of Abdülhamid II (r.1876-1909).