An illuminated Ruzname (official calendar) prepared by Chief Astrologer (Müneccim-Bashi) Osman Saib Efendi, for Sultan Abdulmecid I (r.1839-61), Turkey, Ottoman, drawn up on Nawruz, 16 Sha'ban 1275 AH/21 March 1859 AD
Auction Closed
October 26, 12:30 PM GMT
Estimate
10,000 - 15,000 GBP
Lot Details
Description
Ottoman manuscript on paper, 14 leaves, plus two fly-leaves, approximately 23 lines to the page written in black naskh, text and tables written horizontally and vertically in black and other various colours, columns ruled in gold, in brown leather binding decorated with gilt borders, cloth doublures with stamped arabesques, with flap
31.4 by 20.8cm.
On the vernal equinox of each year, the chief astrologer would present the calendar for the coming year as part of a ceremony, consisting of prognostications for the Sultan, and various officials such as the Grand Vizier and the Sheikh al-Islam. A closely comparable Ruzname by the same chief astrologer produced three years later than this manuscript under Sultan Abdulaziz (r.1861-76) was sold in these rooms, 30 March 2022, lot 31. Another similar royal horoscope was sold at Christie’s London, 28 October 2021, lot 85.
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