Page 102 - 2021 April 1, ART OF THE ISLAMIC AND Indian Worlds Including Oriental Rugs, Christie's London

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PROPERTY FROM A PRIVATE SWISS COLLECTION VARIOUS PROPERTIES
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A FIRMAN OF SULTAN MUSTAFA IV (R. 1807-08 AD) A CALLIGRAPHER'S DIPLOMA (IJAZA') IN THE FORM OF A HILYE
CONSTANTINOPLE, OTTOMAN TURKEY, DATED 29 JUMADA AWARDED TO NEMAT FIKRIYA BINT AL-HAJJ 'ALI BEG BURSAVI BY
AL-AWWAL AH 1222/4 AUGUST 1807 AD IBRAHIM RUSHDI AL-KUTAHI KNOWN AS JAMALIZADEH, OTTOMAN
TURKEY, DATED AH 1297/1879-80 AD
Ottoman Turkish manuscript on paper, 15ll. of alternating black and brown
diwani, beneath the tughra of Sultan Mustafa IV in gold and polychrome, Arabic manuscript on paper, with 18ll. of black thuluth and naskh in panels
framed, minor discolouration, overall good condition reserved aganst a gold and polychrome floral illuminated ground pricked
38 x 20¿in. (96.7 x 51.4cm.) with çintamani motifs, the central cartouche flanked by the names of the four
Rightly Guided Caliphs in blue roundels, within orange and gold rules and
£4,000-6,000 US$5,600-8,400 margins decorated with gold floral vine, laid down on card
€4,700-6,900 Text panel 14¬ x 7ºin. (37.2 x 18.5cm.); folio 18Ω x 11¬in. (47 x 29.5cm.)
This firman was written during the short reign of Mustafa IV. He ascended £7,000-10,000 US$10,000-14,000
to the throne in May 1807 after the deposition of his cousin Selim but his €8,200-12,000
reign was turbulent and he immediately faced riots by the Janissaries. He
While little is known of the recipient of this calligraphic diploma or her
was deposed in July 1808 and killed shortly after in November 1808 at the
teacher, it is a rare and important document that attests to the presence
instruction of Mahmud II.
of women within calligraphic circles in the Ottoman era. In the eighteenth
This firman relates to land ownership and was awarded to Shams al-Din Bey century, the world of calligraphy in Ottoman Turkey was male-dominated
to confirm his tenure over various lands in the Morea. with only a handful of female calligraphers known, such as the renowned
Esmâ Ibret (b.1780). Often considered the finest of female calligraphers,
Ibret's valuable contributions to the art form may have paved the way for
women, such as our scribe, to follow. For an example of female patronage
in Ottoman Turkey, see a prayer book that sold in these Rooms, 24 October
2019, lot 158.

100 In addition to the hammer price, a Buyer’s Premium (plus VAT) is payable. Other taxes and/or an Artist Resale Royalty
fee are also payable if the lot has a tax or λ symbol. Check Section D of the Conditions of Sale at the back of this catalogue.