19th Jun, 2025 12:00
Arts of India and the Islamic Lands
54
AN ILLUMINATED OTTOMAN CALLIGRAPHIC COMPOSITION IN THE SHAPE OF A SHIP (SAFINAT AL-NAJAT)
Possibly Ottoman Western Provinces, late 19th - early 20th century
AN ILLUMINATED OTTOMAN CALLIGRAPHIC COMPOSITION IN THE SHAPE OF A SHIP (SAFINAT AL-NAJAT)
Possibly Ottoman Western Provinces, late 19th - early 20th century
Ink, pencil and opaque pigments heightened with gold on paper, the central field presenting an elaborate calligraphic composition in muhaqqaq script in the shape of an Ottoman galley with the Turkish ayyildiz flag depicted on each of the three masts, possibly a reference to the Ship of Salvation (safinat al-najat) mentioned in the hadiths, the calligraphy bearing the names of the Seven Sleepers of Ephesus (Ashab Al-Kahf) and their dog Qitmir, a story found in the Holy Qur'an, sura al-Kahf (18), the panel believed to act as a talisman of safe passage, the borders enhanced with typical Islamic manuscript illuminations in polychromes and gold, mounted, glazed and framed.
68.5cm x 57.1cm including the frame
Provenance: Bonhams London, 6 October 2008, lot 56.
Sold for £615
AN ILLUMINATED OTTOMAN CALLIGRAPHIC COMPOSITION IN THE SHAPE OF A SHIP (SAFINAT AL-NAJAT)
Possibly Ottoman Western Provinces, late 19th - early 20th century
Ink, pencil and opaque pigments heightened with gold on paper, the central field presenting an elaborate calligraphic composition in muhaqqaq script in the shape of an Ottoman galley with the Turkish ayyildiz flag depicted on each of the three masts, possibly a reference to the Ship of Salvation (safinat al-najat) mentioned in the hadiths, the calligraphy bearing the names of the Seven Sleepers of Ephesus (Ashab Al-Kahf) and their dog Qitmir, a story found in the Holy Qur'an, sura al-Kahf (18), the panel believed to act as a talisman of safe passage, the borders enhanced with typical Islamic manuscript illuminations in polychromes and gold, mounted, glazed and framed.
68.5cm x 57.1cm including the frame
Provenance: Bonhams London, 6 October 2008, lot 56.
Auction: Arts of India and the Islamic Lands, 19th Jun, 2025
Our specialist auction Arts of India and the Islamic Lands is now online for you to browse, peruse and fall in love with your next antique.
Among the highlights, this sale vaunts a remarkable selection of Rajput Schools paintings and an illustrated loose folio from a Timurid Haft Paykar series, all part of a private Canadian collection; several gem-studded Indian necklaces, treasured heirlooms of a local family; a notable group of Islamic manuscripts, including a geomantic tome attributed to the Nubian alchemist Dhul-Nun al-Misri; and several lots of Persian Qajar lacquer belonging to the heir of a British diplomatic family in office under Sir Denis Wright in Tehran between 1971 - 1973.
Our selected lots preview starts next week, on Tuesday 3rd June, and the full view is going to take place from Friday 13th June until the sale day.
Mark your calendars and come to see us!
Viewing
Viewing:
13th June - 10:00 - 17:00
14th June - 11:00 - 16:00
15th June - 11:00 - 16:00
16th June - 10:00 - 17:00
17th June - 10:00 - 17:00
18th June - 10:00 - 17:00
