A ROYAL MAMLUK MANUSCRIPT OF WISE SAYINGS, DEDICATED TO THE MAMLUK SULTAN QANSUW'L-GHAWRI, EGYPT, EARLY 16TH CENTURY

Illuminated Arabic manuscript on paper entitled "Kitab yashtamal ala hikam wa adab", 28 leaves, 3 lines perpage written in thuluth, riqa'i, musalsal and naskh scripts in black, red, gold, green and blue inks, gold rosettes between verses, double margin rules in red, title page with illuminated rectangular panel containing title cusped medallion with dedication to Sultan Qansuw'l-Ghawri, final page with illuminated rectangular panel, later worn paper boards

Published in 1400 Years of  Islamic Art, 1981, no. 22

Fair condition, binding shows signs of wear and stains, minor nibbles on pages and minor stains, pigment rubbed away but still good condition for age, as viewed.
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This is an interesting manuscript entitled "Kitab yashtamal ala hikam wa adab" - "A book containing wisdom and manners". It is important for the fact that the central dedication on the title page indicates that it was written for the Mamluk Sultan Qansuw'l-Ghawri (r.1500-1516).

The genre of books of advice to kings and princes was a popular one in the medieval world. In this case the text quotes philosophers and revered figures from the early Islamic period. The purpose of this particular copy seems to be about teaching calligraphy as well as teaching morals and wisdom, for the chapters are headed by the description of the script used. The first is titled Qalam Thuluth, the second Qalam al-Riqa'i, the third Qalam al-Musalsal, the fourth Qalam Rafi'ul-Naskh, the fifth Qalam Wadah al-Naskh, and the sixth Qalam al-Naskh al-Mu'tad.