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拍品專文
The genre of 'advice literature' was popular in the 16th century Islamic world, giving readers recommendations on how to be a good ruler, minister, or Muslim. 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 Tuhfat 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, and also written in a strong nasta'liq, was sold Sotheby's London, 24 April 2013, lot 28.
The 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 a 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 these Rooms, 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, as well as a binding similar to ours. This would strengthen the suggestion that this manuscript was of a quality to be presented to the sultan.
This manuscript was part of the collection of Costantino del Franco (1899-1968), a renowned bibliophile living in the South of Italy. As well as being an extensive collector, he ran the publishing house Philobiblion, dedicated to disseminating knowledge about antiquarian books to Italian enthusiasts. Philobiblion's luxurious books exemplify the great Italian typographical and publishing tradition of the 20th century.
The 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 a 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 these Rooms, 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, as well as a binding similar to ours. This would strengthen the suggestion that this manuscript was of a quality to be presented to the sultan.
This manuscript was part of the collection of Costantino del Franco (1899-1968), a renowned bibliophile living in the South of Italy. As well as being an extensive collector, he ran the publishing house Philobiblion, dedicated to disseminating knowledge about antiquarian books to Italian enthusiasts. Philobiblion's luxurious books exemplify the great Italian typographical and publishing tradition of the 20th century.