A leaf from a manuscript of al-Qazwini’s 'Aja'ib al-Makhluqat, India, Deccan, Bijapur, circa 1570

Arabic manuscript on paper, 21 lines to the page, written in black and gold naskh script, heading in larger blue script, quarter-page illustration in gold and silver, ruled in colours and gold, reverse with 22 lines of text

In fair overall condition, some holing, consolidated tears, stains and paper repairs to leaf edges, 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."

This and the following lot are both illustrated folios from a dispersed Arabic manuscript of al-Qazwini’s ‘Aja’ib al-Makhluqat. Both originate from the sections on the Moon and Sun and discuss the circulation of the lunar and solar eclipses.

Abu Yahya Zakariya Ibn Muhammad Ibn Mahmud al-Qazwini (1203-82 AD) was a physician, astronomer and geographer who was born in Qazwin and travelled extensively in Mesopotamia and the Levant. He dedicated his cosmography entitled 'Aja'ib al-Makhluqat wa Ghara'ib al-Maujudat ('The Wonders of Creation and the Peculiarities of Existing Things'), to 'Ata-Malik Juwayni (d.1283 AD), a Persian historian who was appointed governor of Baghdad by the Mongol ruler Hulagu after its sacking in 1258 AD. 

As for the place and date of production, according to S. Carboni, "originally written in Arabic around 1270, the text was later translated into Persian and Turkish and a very large number of copies were executed until the 19^th century". He lists the other manuscripts and dispersed folios including a manuscript produced in the Deccan and dated c.1570-1600 (see S. Carboni, Pages of Perfection, Islamic Paintings and Calligraphy from the Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, Milan, 1995, pp.86-89 and pp.164-171).

Another folio from the same manuscript is in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (see P. Pal, Indian Painting, vol.I, Los Angeles, 1993, p.317), whilst a further leaf was sold at Christie's, 17 April 2007, lot 108.