A TRAVELLER'S TALISMANIC COMPENDIUM, NORTH AFRICA OR NEAR EAST, OTTOMAN, 18TH/19TH CENTURY |

Arabic manuscript on paper, comprising 30 folding panels, written in naskh script in black ink decorated with yellow, red and green, housed in a circular papier-maché case, with leather pouch decorated with embroidered threads

In generally good condition, minor stains and smudges, the case with losses to the design, 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.
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."

designed as a portable talismanic compendium, this unusual manuscript contains four folding compartments comprising concertina-form panels filled with text and illustrations. Two similar compendia copied in Ottoman Turkey were sold in these rooms, 25 October 2017, lot 44 and at Christie's London, 26 April 2018, lot 232. A list of the manuscript's contents are as follows:

SIDE A
In the small hexagonal flap: letters making up the word Allah and the phrase Muhammad Rasul Allah 
In the larger square flap: diagrams including those composed of the letters of the word Allah, Ayat al-Kursi (Qur’an II, v.255), the Men of the Unseen (rical-i gayb), the Fatiha (Qur’an I) and an Arabic text called the Prayer of the Poles of Poles (ward qutb al-aqtab).

SIDE B
In the small square flap: the Beautiful Names (asma’ al-husna) and a prayer on them in Arabic and explanations in Turkish. On the other side is a diagram of a circle containing the letters of the word Allah surrounded by the Ayat al-Kursi (Qur’an II, v.255).
In the large square flap: texts and diagrams including diagrams of the holy places in Jerusalem, Mecca and a diagram of hell taken from al-Sha‘rani’s Tabaqat. On the other side are a diagram of the Noble Seal (mühr-i serif) and the hilye of the Prophet and its explanation (sharh).