Islamic Art and Fine Objects
Lot 148:
Description
AN ILLUMINATED ISLAMIC ASTRONOMICAL MANUSCRIPT LEAF FROM AL-SUFI’S BOOK OF FIXED STARS, CENTRAL ASIAN, 15TH – 16TH CENTURY
This illuminated Islamic astronomical manuscript leaf on paper is a page from a version of Abd al-Rahman al-Sufi’s Book of Fixed Stars, also known as Kitab suwar al-kawakib. The recto features a central illustration of the constellation Canis Minor, the Lesser Dog, with individual stars indicated by gold leaf circles. The illustration is accompanied by descriptive Arabic text in black and red Naskh script. The heading translates to Image of the Lesser Dog as seen in the sky. An astronomical table with red-ruled columns is situated at the base of the page. The verso contains a full page of handwritten Arabic text. The leaf is tipped onto a modern tan paper mount.
19 x 10cm
Share this lot:
