Exhibitions

En’am-ı Şerif

h. 1148 [1735]

Sabancı Üniversitesi Sakıp Sabancı Müzesi (Emirgan, İstanbul, Türkiye)

The manuscript comprises the En’am surah (ff. 1r-60v), followed by prayers in Turkish and an Arabic Hilye-i Nebî based on Ali’s description of the Prophet Muhammad (ff. 60v-66r), the names of God (ff. 67r-68v), descriptions of Muhammad and the caliphs written inside graphic compositions (ff. 68r-71v), the names of the Prophet (ff. 71r-72r) and the Evrâd-ı Muhammed Bahaî (ff. 73r-108v). Prayers and annotations are written diagonally in the margins. The book begins with an illuminated double spread with lappets (ff. 1r-2v). Some of the first pages of sections, surahs and prayers are in the form of illuminated frontispieces with lappets (f.73r), while others have rectangular cartouches containing illumination. The last page of each section is decorated with an illuminated triangle (ff. 72r, 108v). In two places there is a beautifully executed tuğra (imperial cipher) of Sultan Mahmud I (r. 1730-54) in gold highlighted in red and blue (ff. 67v, 73v). Three pages (ff. 68r-71v) between the texts giving names of God and the names of the Prophet are illuminated with a medallion set in a rectangular panel and containing a hilye text describing the physiognomy of the Prophet Muhammad. In small circles above and below the first medallion (f. 68r) are written the names of Allah, Muhammad, Ebubekir and Ömer, and in those above and below the second medallion (f. 69v) the names of Osman, Ali, Hasan and Hüseyin. The medallions are filled with a description of Muhammad (ff. 68r-69v). Descriptions of Ebubekir and Ömer are written on ff. 69r-70v, and those of Osman and Ali on ff. 70r-71v. On ff. 69r-70v the field outside the medallion is plain gold, while on the other pages the area is decorated with tiny polychrome flowers. The text is set in wide gold ruled borders, the verse stops are illuminated and in the form of large roses, and the spaces between the lines on the first and last pages are gilded. Some of the headings are illuminated with gilded halkâr decoration in the margins (ff. 67v, 72r-73v, 108v). The leather covers have compositions of medallions in offset rows filled with stamped decoration consisting of cloud bands and hatayi style motifs. The narrow areas between the medallions are filled with stamped decoration in the form of lanceolate serrated leaves. The cherry red leather doublures are decorated with a medallion and cornerpieces filled with rumi motifs. The leather endpapers at the front and back are decorated with a large bouquet painted in gold on one side, and a colourful bouquet of flowers inside an oval medallion with a gold ground on the other. The manuscript must have been rebound during repairs carried out in the 20th century.

Detail

Title
En’am-ı Şerif
Date
h. 1148 [1735]
Dimensions
17,7 x 11,4 cm
Medium
Sized paper, black and red ink, coloured paint, gold
Location
Sabancı Üniversitesi Sakıp Sabancı Müzesi (Emirgan, İstanbul, Türkiye)
Credit
Photo © Sabancı University Sakıp Sabancı Museum


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Prayer Anthology

Detailed Review

Categories

Subject

Kitap Sanatları ve Hat Koleksiyonu

Format

Sized paper, black and red ink, coloured paint, gold

Date / Term

h. 1148 [1735]

Geographical Location

Istanbul, Turkey