Alchemical manuscript.

beginning with a symbol incorporating four watchtowers, a Star of David, and alchemical glyphs, with later images including various furnaces, stills, and other apparatus, a seven stage ascent beginning with a flask and culminating in a throne (probably representing chemical processes), a fountain (similar to the opening image of the Rosarium Philosophorum), an alchemical rebis, a tree growing on a tomb with seven mountains in the background, a fruit bearing tree growing from a male figure impaled on a sword, an owl (?) with an alembic on its head, and a distillatory furnace, many of the images partly composed of lines of cipher characters and incorporating various glyphs, also with diagrams of geometrical speculation, tables with Hebrew letters (perhaps showing permutations of solar and lunar qualities), and related material, 14 pages, in red ink; comprising the second half of a volume that opens with legal records of land ownership in northern Italy, in several hands, Latin and Italian, 1530s-60s; on vellum, 29 pages, 4to, 16th or early 17th century, Italy, some staining, smudging to a few images, tears to outermost leaves

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

an unusual and sophisticated alchemical manuscript showing a range of influences from paracelsus to the kabbalah. Paracelsian influence can be seen for example in the manuscript's list of the three essential ingredients of the Philosopher's Stone (Mercury, Sulphur, Salt), while the geometric representations of these tria prima resemble those found in the works of Gerard Dorn. Jewish elements include the use of Hebrew characters and the appearance of a Menora in the rebis figure. The accompanying text is entirely in a cipher which resembles that of the Aiq Bekr or Kabbalah of the 9 Chambers. This manuscript reveals an alchemist whose work combines in a unique way many features found in contemporary practitioners such as John Dee.

We are grateful to Dr Peter Forshaw for his assistance in cataloguing this lot.