Lot 121: AN OTTOMAN ILLUMINATED HILYEI SERIF CALLIGRAPHIC PANEL BY AHMAD AL-ARIF, DATED 1308 A.H, 19TH CENTURY

An illuminated Ottoman calligraphic panel in the Hilye-i Serif format, executed in ink, polychrome pigments, and gold leaf on paper. The panel follows the classic Ottoman arrangement, divided into several horizontal and circular registers. The uppermost section features a topographical miniature painting of Al-Masjid an-Nabawi in Medina, depicting the Prophet’s Mosque with its distinctive Green Dome, courtyard, and surrounding minarets in a naive late-Ottoman style. This miniature is signed by the artist Khalid and dated 1304 AH. Below the mosque is a horizontal panel containing the Basmala written in large, elegant Thuluth script, followed by a narrow band listing the genealogy of the Prophet Muhammad. The central circular medallion contains the primary hilye text describing the Prophet’s physical appearance, written in fine Naskh script. This central circle is surrounded by four smaller circular medallions containing the names of the Rashidun caliphs: Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali. Beneath the central circle is a prominent horizontal panel containing Quranic verse 21:107 rendered in bold Thuluth script. The composition concludes with a final rectangular text panel featuring prayers and the calligrapher’s signature. The signature identifies the calligrapher as Ahmad al-Arif, noting him as a student of the master known as Bishush (likely Mehmed Sevki Efendi), and is dated 1308 AH (approximately 1890-1891 AD). The panel is richly illuminated with gold borders and floral scrollwork in the shukufe style, featuring stylized lilies and tulips. It is set within a period dark ebonised wood frame decorated with gilt-painted foliate corner flourishes and borders.

70 by 42cm