View full screen - View 1 of Lot 36. An illuminated calligraphy, signed by Hafiz Mustafa Nuri, Muezzin to Sultan Abdulmecid (r.1839-61), Turkey, Ottoman, dated 1268 AH/1851-52 AD.

An illuminated calligraphy, signed by Hafiz Mustafa Nuri, Muezzin to Sultan Abdulmecid (r.1839-61), Turkey, Ottoman, dated 1268 AH/1851-52 AD

Auction Closed

October 26, 12:30 PM GMT

Estimate

5,000 - 7,000 GBP

Lot Details

Description

Arabic manuscript on paper, 4 lines of black thuluth framing 9 lines of black naskh, above two lines of riqa, decoration comprising foliate motifs applied in the calligraphic panels, laid down on an album page ruled in gold, pasted down on card, framed


calligraphy: 38.5 by 32cm.

47 by 41cm. framed

The colophon states that the author of this calligraphy, Mustafa Nuri, studied under the supervision of the Ottoman court calligrapher Mehmed Vasfi Efendi (d.1831). Mehmed Vasfi obtained his license in 1767 and practised as a calligrapher in the Topkapi Palace for many years, where he also supervised a number of students. He was known for teaching calligraphy to Sultan Mahmud II (r.1808-39) before his accession to the throne. An hilye by Mehmed Vasfi Efendi was sold in 2013 by Artam Antik A.S., Istanbul.
The calligrapher also claims to have been one of the personal muezzins of Sultan Abdulmecid (r.1839-61) employed in the palace. The name Abdullah Sururi appears above the colophon, presumably identifying the illuminator.