{"product_id":"mustafa-ibn-abd-al-rahman","title":"MUSTAFA IBN ABD AL-RAHMAN.","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe genre of ‘advice literature’ was popular not only in the 16th century Islamic world, but at the same time in Western Europe, giving readers recommendations on how to be a good ruler, minister, or Muslim\/Christian. The author of this work identifies it as a translation of the Pand-nama of Khwaja ‘Abdullah al-Ansari,’ the Afghan polymath of the 11th century. The text also includes a second text entitled the Tyhfat al-Wuzara, for which no author is given. The popularity of the genre meant that such texts were common, often associated with the great authorities of the past to lend them weight. The text is given the title Tuhfat al-Salatin (a Gift for Sultans) and signed by Mustafa ibn Abd al-Rahman, who also identifies himself as the translator – and presumably – editor. This would make this an autograph copy of unusual quality, doubtless intended for presentation. Indeed, the lengthy dedication to Sultan Murad III (r. 1574-95), whose name appears highlighted in gold throughout, may indicate that this manuscript was a gift for a sultan in more than name only. A further manuscript signed by the same scribe, also written in a strong nasta’liq, was sold to Sotheby’s London, 24 April 2013, lot 28.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe quality of the calligraphy throughout this manuscript is exceptional, more typical of single-page calligraphic compositions than full manuscripts. The effect is enhanced with the use of dyed paper, gold speckling, and extensive chrysography, as well as beautifully gilt-tooled binding. Particularly distinctive is the broad qalam used throughout this manuscript, giving rise to a more muscular script that distinguishes it from Safavid manuscripts. Other high-quality Ottoman manuscripts in nasta’liq include a copy of al-durra al-yatima fi al-mada’ih al-karima which sold in at Christie’s, 26 April 2018, lot 193, and another anthology which sold 12 October 2004, lot 198. That manuscript also had 10 lines of nasta’liq to the page, as well as erased seal impressions suggesting it had been in the royal library. This would strengthen the suggestion that this manuscript was of a quality to be presented to the sultan.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis manuscript was part of the collection of Constantino del Franco (1899-1968), a renowned bibliophile living in the South of Italy.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"MUSTAFA IBN ABD AL-RAHMAN.","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57868724306255,"sku":"L4856","price":36000.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"url":"https:\/\/sokol-books-ltd.myshopify.com\/products\/mustafa-ibn-abd-al-rahman","provider":"Sokol Books Ltd","version":"1.0","type":"link"}