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Zayn al-Din Jurjani (d.1136 AD), Zakhirah-yi Khwarazmshahi ('Treasury dedicated to the king of Khwarazmshahi'), an encyclopaedia of medical science, books I, II and first volume of III, Persia, Timurid, dated 862 AH/1457 AD
Estimate
20,000 - 30,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- ink on paper, bound
Persian manuscript on paper, 165 leaves, 26 lines to the page, written in nasta’liq script in black ink, titles in thuluth in black ink, catchwords, keywords picked out in red, ruled in red, 3 illuminated headings with title in white ornamental Kufic against a blue background decorated with gold scrolling split-palmettes, f.1a with a gold and polychrome shamsa, in black leather binding
Condition
In generally good condition, the margins clean, water and various stains, occasional restoration, affecting mainly the edges of the first and last folios, occasional minor holes and tears, smudges to the ink, the headings with minor losses to the painting, smudges and occasional retouching, but bright and clean, the binding worn, 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
Born in Khwarazm, Zayn al-Din Jurjani composed the Zakhirah no later than 1110-11 AD. He was the first notable physician who wrote in Persian, and his work is unanimously accepted as the first major medical text written in the Persian language. According to Fateme Keshavarz, "the Zakhirah-i has been enriched by al-Jurjani's extensive knowledge of the medical literature of the time". There are twelve various volumes in the Wellcome Library, London (see F. Keshavarz, A Descriptive and Analytical Catalogue of Persian Manuscripts in the Library of the Wellcome Institute for the History of Medicine, London, 1986, pp.149-154, no.43).
According to Charles Rieu the reason for al-Jurjani's compiling of the Zakhirah was to supply a comprehensive work which would offer the required information on every branch of medical science, and save a physician the trouble and loss of time involved in consulting other books (in short, something he himself required for his work). See C. Rieu, Catalogue of the Persian Manuscripts in the British Museum, Oxford, photolithographic reprint 1966, pp.466-8. Al-Jurjani dedicated al-Zakhirah to Qutb-al-Din Khvarazm Shah Abu’l-Fath Muhammad Ibn Yamin-al-Din (d.1127 AD).
The Zakhirah consists of ten books (kitab), which are enumerated in the preface, and to each of which is prefixed a full table of numerous subdivisions termed Guftars and Babs. They are as follows: 1. Definition and utility of medicine; composition, structure, and powers of the human body; II. Health and disease; causes and symptoms of disease; accidents of the body; III. Preservation of health. IV. Diagnosis of diseases; crisis and prognosis; V. Fevers, their various kinds, their symptoms and treatment; VI. Local diseases and their treatment; VII. Tumours and ulcers etc.; VIII. The care to be taken of the external parts of the body, hair, skin, nails etc.; IX. Poisons and antidotes; X. Simple and compound medicaments. The present manuscript represents the first two of these books, and the first part of book three.
A further copy of the same work (books I (part II), II and III, dated 666-7 AH/1267-68 AD), sold in these rooms, 20 April 2016, lot 9, whilst another copy (book II) with comparable illumination to the present edition, sold in these rooms 20 April 2016, lot 8. Books I-IV of the same work are included in the sale as lot 42.
According to Charles Rieu the reason for al-Jurjani's compiling of the Zakhirah was to supply a comprehensive work which would offer the required information on every branch of medical science, and save a physician the trouble and loss of time involved in consulting other books (in short, something he himself required for his work). See C. Rieu, Catalogue of the Persian Manuscripts in the British Museum, Oxford, photolithographic reprint 1966, pp.466-8. Al-Jurjani dedicated al-Zakhirah to Qutb-al-Din Khvarazm Shah Abu’l-Fath Muhammad Ibn Yamin-al-Din (d.1127 AD).
The Zakhirah consists of ten books (kitab), which are enumerated in the preface, and to each of which is prefixed a full table of numerous subdivisions termed Guftars and Babs. They are as follows: 1. Definition and utility of medicine; composition, structure, and powers of the human body; II. Health and disease; causes and symptoms of disease; accidents of the body; III. Preservation of health. IV. Diagnosis of diseases; crisis and prognosis; V. Fevers, their various kinds, their symptoms and treatment; VI. Local diseases and their treatment; VII. Tumours and ulcers etc.; VIII. The care to be taken of the external parts of the body, hair, skin, nails etc.; IX. Poisons and antidotes; X. Simple and compound medicaments. The present manuscript represents the first two of these books, and the first part of book three.
A further copy of the same work (books I (part II), II and III, dated 666-7 AH/1267-68 AD), sold in these rooms, 20 April 2016, lot 9, whilst another copy (book II) with comparable illumination to the present edition, sold in these rooms 20 April 2016, lot 8. Books I-IV of the same work are included in the sale as lot 42.