- 33
Illuminated Page of Fine Calligraphy, Signed Twice By Muhammad As'ar bin Mansur al-Husaini, also as Mir Munshi, Mecca, Arabia, Dated Jumadi'l Awal, A.H. 966/A.D. 1587-1588
Estimate
15,000 - 18,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- Signed Twice By Muhammad As'ar bin Mansur al-Husaini, also as Mir Munshi
panels of various inscriptions in thuluth, naskh and nasta'liq in black or blue ink, the various panels decorated in colours and gold, with scrolling vegetal and foliate motifs, laid down on paper, laid down on stout paper with blue gold sprinkled border in modern times
Condition
In generally good condition, minor staining, some rubbing and surface wear, later laid down on stout paper, otherwise calligraphy fine and colours strong, 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
This fascinating and beautiful document is a rare example of a Mughal master calligrapher working in Mecca.
Muhammad Asghar ibn Mansur al-Husayni is recorded as Muhammad Asghar Sabsevari (Mashhadi), who was a Mir Munshi, a chancellery clerk for the emperor Akbar. He was given the title Ashraf Khan by Akbar in A.H. 968/A.H. 1575-1576), and held a mansab of 2000 (see M. Athar Ali, The Apparatus of Empire, Awards of Ranks, Offices and Titles to the Mughal Nobility, 1574-1658, Delhi, 1985, p.5, no. 47 and p.34, no.AA21).
Indeed his work was so highly regarded that a Qur'an copied by him and dated A.H.966 (1558), and sold in these rooms 8 July 1980, lot 273, was inscribed by Shah Jahan himself, identifying the scribe as Ashraf Khan Mir Munshi.