- 101
An illuminated calligrapher's diploma (ijazeh), signed by Ahmed Efendi, Turkey, Ottoman, dated 1180 AH/1766 AD
Estimate
3,000 - 5,000 GBP
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Description
- ink on paper, leather bound
text: surah al-naba' (LXXVIII)
Arabic manuscript on polished paper, 3 leaves plus 3 flyleaves, 7 to 9 lines to the page, written in neat naskh script in black ink within cloud bands against a gold ground sprinkled with flowers, verses separated by gold florets, opening illuminated headpiece, f.3b with colophon in 2 roundels, spandrels filled with flowers, ruled in gold, black and red, brown morocco binding with gold ropework borders and central gilt-stamped cartouches filled with interlacing vegetal motifs
Arabic manuscript on polished paper, 3 leaves plus 3 flyleaves, 7 to 9 lines to the page, written in neat naskh script in black ink within cloud bands against a gold ground sprinkled with flowers, verses separated by gold florets, opening illuminated headpiece, f.3b with colophon in 2 roundels, spandrels filled with flowers, ruled in gold, black and red, brown morocco binding with gold ropework borders and central gilt-stamped cartouches filled with interlacing vegetal motifs
Condition
In very good overall condition, light wear to binding, spine repaired, calligraphy and illumination bright and 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
Folio 3b of the present unusual ijazeh in bound form states that the license was issued to Ahmed Efendi by Ahmed Hafzi, pupil of Muhammad Rasim. It also provides endorsements of the scribe Ahmed al-Rushdi by his teacher Khalil, a pupil of Khawaja-zade, giving the date 1180 AH (1766 AD).
Muhammad Hifzi was the principal teacher of Isma'il Zuhdi. Hifzi was a pupil both of Hasircilar Imami Efendi and of Mustafa Efendi’s own teacher, Egrikapili Mehmed Rasim, while Mehmed Rasim was in turn taught by Hafiz Osman’s greatest pupil Yedikuleli Seyyid 'Abdullah (see Bayani, Stanley & Rogers, The Nasser D. Khalili Collection of Islamic Art, The Decorated Word, Qur’ans of the 17th to 19th centuries, Part Two, London, 2009, p.176).