TACEDDIN AHMEDI, (D.1412-13), ISKANDERNAMA, COPIED BY NA'IM AL-DIN AHMAD IBN MUN'IM AL-DIN MUHAMMAD AL-HUSAYNI AL-AWHADI, PERSIA, SAFAVID, DATED 944 AH/1585-86 AD |

Ottoman manuscript on paper, 223 leaves plus 1 fly-leaf, 15 lines to the page written in black nasta’liq within 2 columns, ruled in gold and blue, headings in gold nasta’liq, the opening bifolio with polychrome and gold heading, the text within clouds against a gold ground, 5 paintings, in a brown leather binding decorated with stamped medallions, the inside with black cut-leather filigree

In generally good condition, the margins are clean with minor restoration to the paper, affecting mainly the first bifolium, minor smudges to the ink and stains throughout, several ownership stamps, the paintings with minor losses and smudges, but overall in good condition, the binding restored and with minor losses to the filigree, 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."

Copies of Ahmedi’s (d.1412-13) Alexander romance in Anatolian Turkish are known to have been produced in Safavid Shiraz. Another copy, made by Muhammad Katib in 948 AH/1541-42 AD and dedicated to a certain Khazin Shah Quli Beg, possibly the head of the Turkman Dhu’l-Qadirid confederacy, is now in the Institute of Oriental Studies, St. Petersburg (published in Petrosyan 1995, p.47). A copy of the Iskandarnama is also known to have been presented by Shah Tahmasp’s ambassador Shah Quli Khan Ustajlu to the Ottomans on the occasion of the accession of Selim II in 1568, alongside Shah Tahmasp’s famous copy of the Shahnama of Firdawsi (Zeren Tanindi, 'Additions to Illustrated Manuscripts' Muqarnas XVII, p.147).

This copy bears two seal impressions both with the same legend: ghulam-i shah murshid quli - 'Slave of the Shah, Murshid Quli'. This is likely to be the son of Shah Quli Khan, the powerful Murshid Quli Khan, who acted as vakil or viceroy in the early part of the reign of the young Shah ‘Abbas, dominating the young ‘Abbas until the latter had him assassinated. This is interesting because it shows the interest of Turkman commanders in Safavid Persia in Turkish literature. For the Iskendernama and Ahmedi in general, see E.J.W. Gibb, A History of Ottoman Poetry, vol.1, London, 1958, pp.260-298.

Another manuscript copied by Na'im al-Din Ahmad ibn Mun'im al-Din Muhammad al-Husayni al-Awhadi and dated 951 AH/1544 AD was sold in these rooms, 27 April 1994, lot 73.

The illustrations are as follows:

f.41b: Iskander and the dying Darab.
f.94b: Iskander hunts lions in India
f.124b: Iskander feasts in Kashmir after inviting the people to embrace Islam.
f.133b: Iskander battles with an army of demons.
f.179b: Kay Ka’us in the flying machine.