OTTOMAN EGYPT, DATED AH 1211/1796-7 AD

Details

AN ENGRAVED OSTRICH EGG
OTTOMAN EGYPT, DATED AH 1211/1796-7 AD
Forming a highly stylised map of the Ottoman Empire, divided in the middle by the sea, the upper half filled with houses and streams around two larger roundels showing Hagia Sofia and another prominent building the lower half representing Egypt with the pyramids and the Nile prominently depicted, the central sea with a crude kufic inscription, signed just above that, the top also with later engraved foliage and a brief naskh inscription dated 1894 in the Christian Era, the engraving with traces of black and other colours
6½in. (16.4cm.) high

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Lot Essay

The kufic band around the centre contains prayers and blessings to Mohammad, his family, and further invocations. The signature just above the central band of kufic translates: "Engraved by Hasan Fahmi (?) in Egypt, 1211."

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