A COLLECTION OF PRAYERS INCLUDING A QASIDA AL-BURDA, AND DRAWINGS BY ABD AL-QADIR HISARI, TURKEY, OTTOMAN, DATED BETWEEN 1009 AH/1600 AD AND 1180 AH/1766 AD |

Arabic manuscript on paper, 160 leaves plus 2 fly-leaves, 7 lines to the page written in naskh in black ink, ruled in black and gold, verses separated by blue or red dots, titles in gold, with 28 fully illustrated pages, in gilt-stamped Ottoman binding

In good condition, the margins have been crpped and are clean with only minor stains, minor smudges and various stains but in good condition, the binding with minor losses but contemporaneous, as viewed.
"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.
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This composite collection of prayers is particularly unusual for the twenty-eight calligraphic illustrations which follow the text. Each drawing occupies one page and it is outlined either with a black pen or by small text in ghubar also in black. The colophon of this section states that is was completed by Abd al-Qadir Hisari, student of the well known calligrapher Abu Bakir Rashid Efendi. The drawings include Mecca, Medina, the al-Aqsa Mosque, the Ka'ba, the seal of Solomon, the banner of the prophet and several others. Another collection of prayers decorated with drawings by ‘Abd al-Qadir Hisari and dated to the very same year is in the Metropolitan Museum, New York, inv.no.2014.44. ‘Abd al-Qadir is also responsible for a calligraphic galleon now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, inv.no.2003.241.