An Imperial Ottoman Firman of Sultan Mahmud I (r.1730-54), Turkey, Istanbul, dated 1160 AH/1747 AD

Ottoman Turkish manuscript on paper, 17 lines to the page, written in divani script in alternating black and gold ink, surmounted by the tughra of Mahmud I in colours and gold, framed

"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."

The word 'firman', or ferman in Turkish, comes from the Persian farman, meaning 'command' or 'authority', and regarding the Ottoman Empire, it refers to an edict made by the sultan, frequently featuring his tughra in the heading. Though exceptionally issued by the sultan himself, firmans were often decreed by his highest officials, usually following a discussion of the matter in question at the diwan-i humayun or 'imperial council' (B. Lewis, Ch. Pellat and J. Schacht (eds.), The Encyclopaedia of Islam, vol.II, Leiden, 1983, pp.803-4). The subject of these documents vary widely, dealing with administrative, military, financial and diplomatic affairs, amongst others. A number of firmans also mandated general regulations that applied to the population as a whole and were later integrated into the Ottoman kanunnames, or codes of secular law (ibid., p.805).

The content of the present firman notes how following the letter of Bashir Agha, the supervisor chief officer of the pious endowments of Mecca and Madina (Haramayn), it is understood that one Abdulrahman Chawush intends to build a sabil-maktab in Cairo, and the firman confirms this act.

It is also worth noting the aesthetic effect of the elaborate and heavily-ornamented tughra at the header of the firman. Arranged in the form of a stylised tree, the cipher is adorned by coloured grounds and a dense pattern of scrolling floral motifs. The criss-cross pattern in the left hand portion of the tughra is purely decorative, the title of 'Shah'  having been dropped by the time of Mahmud I. A comparable firman is in the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts (no.2234), published in A. Nadir, Imperial Ottoman Firmans, exhib.cat., Istanbul, 1987, pp.112-3, no.44, and S. Umur, Osmanli Padisah Tugralari, Istanbul, 1980, p.249, res.216).