Those wishing to learn the art of calligraphy attended classes in particular scripts given by master calligraphers and practised the exercises they gave. When sufficiently proficient the pupils would prepare a master-piece, and if this was approved by their teachers, they would endorse it.1 This endorsed master-piece was called an icazetname and served as a diploma giving the new master calligrapher the right to sign and date their work. The icazetname exhibited here belongs to Mir Mustafa Celaleddin (fl. 1853), son of the calligrapher Eyüp Sabri Paşa, and is signed by his teachers Ali Rıza of Manisa and Abdullah Zühdî (d. 1879). For his master-piece Mir Mustafa Celaleddin has written two hadiths of the Prophet Muhammad. The first consists of one line of sülüs and reads, ‘I repent my sins’, and the second of two lines of nesih reading, ‘The Prophet of God, may God’s salutations be upon him, declared thus: ‘The prayer that is answered quickest is that made on behalf of he who is absent.’ So truly spoke the Prophet of God.’ Below this inside two oval cartouches are the endorsements written in rıka script by Ali Rıza of Manisa and Abdullah Zühdî, both well known calligraphers of the period, granting Mir Mustafa Celaleddin the right to set his signature to work written in the sülüs and nesih scripts. Abdullah Zühdî’s endorsement inside the right-hand cartouche reads as follows: ‘I give thanks to God who grants still more to those who are thankful, and offer my salutations and greetings to the Prophet Muhammad, may peace be upon him, to his family and disciples who are endowed with thanks. I, Abdullah Zühdî Efendi, one of the descendants of Temîm ed-Dârî [one of the companions of the Prophet], may God exalt them and add honour upon honour, personally have certified this holy and most excellent work of calligraphy by Mir Mustafa Celaleddin Beyefendi, son of Eyüp Sabri Paşa, in accordance with the promise of scribes.’ The calligrapher Ali Rıza has written the following in the left-hand cartouche: ‘With thanks to God, friend and companion, I extend salutations and greetings to his prophet Muhammad Mustafa, may peace be upon him, and to his family and disciples. In respect for the Prophet Muhammad Mustafa, chief among prophets, I the humble Ali Rıza of Manisa, teacher of Mustafa Celaleddin Beyefendi son of Eyüp Sabri Paşa who has written this holy and precious calligraphy, may God facilitate him in all his enterprises, do hereby grant him authorisation with the promise of scribes in the year 1270.’ Very few icazetnames have been illuminated by a master illuminator as in the case of this example. The spaces between the writing are filled with feathery curving leaves and bouquets on a gold ground in the western influenced style of decoration known as Turkish rococo. The broad border is filled with curving leaves in gold and silver and vases of flowers on a cherry coloured ground.
