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A rare calligraphic panel in Chaghatay Turkish, signed by Shams al-Baysunghuri, Persia, Timurid, 15th century
Estimate
15,000 - 20,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
Chaghatay Turkish manuscript on paper, 12 lines to the page, written in nasta'liq script in black ink, interspersed with polychrome floral sprays, laid down on an album page flecked with gold
Condition
In fair overall condition, some abrasions and losses to paper, calligraphy otherwise bold, 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
Shams al-Baysunghuri (d.1446)
Shams al-Din Muhammad al-Harawi, better known as Shams al-Baysunghuri, was the esteemed companion and calligraphy tutor of the Timurid prince Baysunghur Mirza (d. 1433). He was a pupil of Ma’ruf al-Baghdadi and became master of all the classic hands as well as nasta’liq. Due to his mastery in thuluth he was entrusted with producing the monumental inscriptions at the Mashhad Shrine. His close association with Baysunghur at the Timurid court earned him his sobriquets “al-Baysunghuri” and “al-Sultani”. The calligrapher’s name is included in the list of artists (arzadasht) working in the Timurid court atelier during the reign of Baysunghur Mirza (W.M. Thackston, Album Prefaces, 2001, p.43).
Qadi Ahmad, in his Golistan-i Hunar, states that, “Shams al-Baysunghuri was one of the choicest masters of writing. He wrote extremely well in the six scripts, in which he followed step by step the cynosure of calligraphers, Yaqut. He wrote very delicately, correctly and agreeably. This humble one compared his writing with that of the seven masters and it proved not inferior to any of them. He was the teacher of Baysunghur Mirza. The inscriptions in the buildings of the Holy Mashhad are mostly his work. He rendered famous the writing of his pupil Baysunghur Mirza, son of Shahrukh Mirza. The latter wrote with great excellence and was a master of the age. His teacher, Mawlana Shams, spent his time in his service and for that reason signed his name with the sobriquet “al-Baysunghuri”. He traced the inscriptions of the great mosque of the Holy Mashhad, which is one of the foundations erected by Gawhar-shad Begum, his mother.” (Qadi Ahmad, trans. W. Minorsky, 1959, pp.67-68).
A Qur’an manuscript copied by Shams is in the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts (ms. 294), Istanbul, whilst a copy of Kalila and Dimna transcribed by Shams for Prince Baysunghur is in the Topkapi Palace (TSML R1022). The Humay u Humayun by Khawaju Kirmani he copied is in the Nationalbibliothek, Vienna (NF 382). The Nuzhat al-Ashiqin (Delight of the Lovers), dated 1427 AD and copied by Shams, is in the Berenson Collection in the Villa Tatti in Florence. He died in 1446 AD.
Shams al-Din Muhammad al-Harawi, better known as Shams al-Baysunghuri, was the esteemed companion and calligraphy tutor of the Timurid prince Baysunghur Mirza (d. 1433). He was a pupil of Ma’ruf al-Baghdadi and became master of all the classic hands as well as nasta’liq. Due to his mastery in thuluth he was entrusted with producing the monumental inscriptions at the Mashhad Shrine. His close association with Baysunghur at the Timurid court earned him his sobriquets “al-Baysunghuri” and “al-Sultani”. The calligrapher’s name is included in the list of artists (arzadasht) working in the Timurid court atelier during the reign of Baysunghur Mirza (W.M. Thackston, Album Prefaces, 2001, p.43).
Qadi Ahmad, in his Golistan-i Hunar, states that, “Shams al-Baysunghuri was one of the choicest masters of writing. He wrote extremely well in the six scripts, in which he followed step by step the cynosure of calligraphers, Yaqut. He wrote very delicately, correctly and agreeably. This humble one compared his writing with that of the seven masters and it proved not inferior to any of them. He was the teacher of Baysunghur Mirza. The inscriptions in the buildings of the Holy Mashhad are mostly his work. He rendered famous the writing of his pupil Baysunghur Mirza, son of Shahrukh Mirza. The latter wrote with great excellence and was a master of the age. His teacher, Mawlana Shams, spent his time in his service and for that reason signed his name with the sobriquet “al-Baysunghuri”. He traced the inscriptions of the great mosque of the Holy Mashhad, which is one of the foundations erected by Gawhar-shad Begum, his mother.” (Qadi Ahmad, trans. W. Minorsky, 1959, pp.67-68).
A Qur’an manuscript copied by Shams is in the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts (ms. 294), Istanbul, whilst a copy of Kalila and Dimna transcribed by Shams for Prince Baysunghur is in the Topkapi Palace (TSML R1022). The Humay u Humayun by Khawaju Kirmani he copied is in the Nationalbibliothek, Vienna (NF 382). The Nuzhat al-Ashiqin (Delight of the Lovers), dated 1427 AD and copied by Shams, is in the Berenson Collection in the Villa Tatti in Florence. He died in 1446 AD.