An Illuminated Ottoman Prayer Book, Copied by Fatima, Turkey, Dated 1261 AH/1845 AD

Arabic manuscript on paper, 100 leaves plus 4 flyleaves, 11 lines to the page, written in naskh script in black ink, verses separated by assorted rotating round forms pointed in green and orange, catchwords, margins ruled in black and gold, opening illuminated floral headpiece in polychrome and gold with text in gilt cloud bands and large leafy borders, surah and prayer headings in white thuluth script on gold rectangular panels, the ninety-nine names of God on gold ground with punched cintamani motifs with text in cloud bands, brown morocco binding with floral trellis pattern and punched dots, with flap

In good condition overall, ink bold and illumination bright, a few very minor smudges and stains, minor wear to the binding and repair to the binding, as viewed.
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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."

Serife Fatima Hanim, who was the daughter of Mehmet Hasip Pasha, practised thuluth and naskh scripts under Hakkakzade and Mustafa Vasfi Efendi. Female calligraphers were very rare in the Ottoman Empire and were highly regarded by other calligraphers. A hilye by Serife Fatima Hanim dated 1849 is in the Collection of the Topkapi Palace Museum, whilst an illuminated Ottoman Qur’an written by another female calligrapher, Manal Kucuk, was sold in these rooms, 6 April 2011, lot 201.