Karacelebizade Abdulaziz Efendi, An Illuminated Ottoman Suleymanname, ('The Book of Accomplishments of Sultan Suleyman'), Turkey, Early 17th Century

Ottoman Turkish manuscript on paper, 168 leaves plus 2 flyleaves, 15 lines to the page, verses separated by gold points, written in ta'liq script in black ink, catchwords, margins ruled in blue and gold, opening illuminated gold and polychrome floral headpiece emanating blue leafy sprays, red morocco binding with gilt-stamped medallions and cornerpieces filled with an interlace of scrolling tendrils and ropework border, tooled gilt doublures of knotted motifs within a gold medallion

Ex-collection Halil Edhem Eldem (1861-1938), pioneer of Islamic archaeology and art history in Turkey. Halil Edhem was the younger brother of the artist Osman Hamdi Bey, and founded the Archaeological Museum in Istanbul, as well as numerous other Turkish cultural institutions.

In good condition overall, ink bold and illumination bright, few minor stains and paper repairs, few worm holes and a section of loose leaves, spine repaired, as viewed.
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Of the historical works favoured by the Ottomans, one of the most popular was the Suleymanname, the heroic stories of Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent (r.1520-66). The first version was written in 'Arif Chelebi (d.circa 1562), and its popularity spawned further works on the life of Sultan Suleyman by numerous other authors, including the present one by Karacelebizade Abdulaziz Efendi (d.1658). Unillustrated yet finely written and illuminated manuscripts like this were produced for Istanbul's scholarly litterati.

Karacelebizade Abdulaziz Efendi was born in Bursa and enjoyed a distinguished career as both a scholar and official in Istanbul. He enjoyed prominence in a leading position in the imperial madrasa, and was appointed chief-professor at the Suleymaniye madrasa after the accession of Murad III (r.1574-95). When Murad IV ascended the throne in 1648, Karacelebizade presented his works to him, and in 1651 the Sultan elevated him to Shaykh ul-Islam, his most prestigious appointment.