AN ILLUMINATED BOOK OF PRAYERS INCLUDING DALA'IL AL-KHAYRAT, COPIED BY MUSTAFA AL-HALIMI, TURKEY, OTTOMAN, DATED 1209 AH/1794-95 AD |

Arabic manuscript on paper, 149 leaves plus 6 fly-leaves, 13 lines to the page, written in neat black naskh, ruled in gold and black, verses marked by polychrome and gold rosettes, titles in white thuluth against a gold ground within cartouches decorated with gold and polychrome scrolls, the margins with commentaries within gold cartouches, polychrome and gold markers in the shape of floral vases, f.1a and f.148b of pink paper, decorated with a gold vegetal design, an illuminated bifolio on f.2b and f.3a with floral borders, a gold ground bifolio on f.51b finely decorated with polychrome floral and leaf scrolls and the text within squares, illustration of Mecca (f.68b) and Medina (f.69a), an illuminated headpiece on f.68a, in Ottoman binding decorated with a gilt-lobed centre-piece, with flap

In good condition, the margins have been cropped but are overall clean, minor rubbing to the ink and occasional losses to the illuminations, but the colours bright, minor holes and minor restorations, the binding restored and the flap probably associated, 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."

A student of Mustafa al-Kutahya, Mustafa al-Halimi was a renowned calligrapher of the second half of the eighteenth century. He is also listed as a master in the ijazeh of ‘Ali Ra’if Efendi (dated 1206 AH/1791 AD, now in the Library of Congress, Washington inv. no.1-88-154.129; https://www.wdl.org/en/item/2489/). A Qur’an signed by Mustafa al-Halimi and dated 1214 AH/1799-1800 AD sold at Christie’s London 26 April 2012, lot 51.