Antiquities, Islamic, and Contemporary Middle Eastern Art: Featuring Selections from the Dr. Mohammed Said Farsi Collection

Lot 98:

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ANCIENT ASTRONOMY MANUSCRIPT OF FIXED STARS, KITAB SUWAR AL-KAWAKIB AL-THABITA (BOOK OF THE IMAGES OF THE FIXED STARS) OF AL-SUFI

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Start price: £550

Estimated price: £600 - £800

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Description

The manuscript features detailed illustrations of constellations, each accompanied by descriptions in Arabic. The page displays a meticulously drawn figure representing a constellation, adorned with annotations and points indicating the positions of stars. Al-Sufi’s work blends classical Greek knowledge, primarily from Ptolemy’s "Almagest, " with the observations and corrections made by Muslim astronomers.


The page is not only an astronomical document but also an artistic masterpiece, showcasing the intricate and precise nature of medieval Islamic science and art. The calligraphy and illustration reflect the high standard of scientific manuscript production of the time.

This particular page was likely part of a larger manuscript copied and illustrated in the medieval Islamic world, possibly in Persia (modern-day Iran).

H: 26.5cm, W: 18cm