Lot 66
- 66
An important and extensively illuminated endowment deed (Vakifname), for Grand Vizier Izzet Mehmed Pasha (d.1812 AD), Turkey, Ottoman, dated 1210 AH/1795-96 AD
Estimate
70,000 - 90,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- INK ON PAPER
Ottoman Turkish manuscript on polished paper, 31 folios, plus 8 flyleaves, 11 lines to the page, written in naskh script in black ink, verses marked by gold and polychrome rosettes, ruled in gold and red, the margins densely decorated with gold and polychrome vegetal scrolls, f.1a with ownership inscriptions, f.1b with a gold and polychrome illuminated headpiece surmounting 4 lines of naskh script, 1 line of muhaqqaq and 2 lines possibly in the hand of Sultan Selim III, f.31a with illuminated polychrome finispiece, final page with a painted lily, in fine gilt stamped binding, with trellis-decorated doublures, with flap
Condition
In good overall condition, the ink with very minor smudges, minor scuffing and abrasions, the first three folio with a repair on the last line of the script affecting an area measuring less of 1.4 by 0.8cm., the illumination, opening and closing folios in very good condition with bright colours, the binding possibly re-gilded, 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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
The contents of this fine and rare Ottoman manuscript include details on the endowments to the Congregational Mosque of Safranbolu, the Naqshbandi dargah in Eyüp and the Mosque situated in the dargah made by the Grand Vizier Izzet Mehmed Pasha, who served under Sultan Selim III (r.1789-1807) between 1794 and 1798.
The manuscript lists the various properties the revenue of which is to be turned into waqf and the various posts for which the waqf is to provide; these include an imam for the mosque, people to recite various prayers and surahs, preachers, teachers, people to distribute alms to the poor, caretakers for copies of the Qur'an and furnishings, muezzins as well as the administrators of the waqf. His wife Nefise Hatun is made the overseer (mütevelliye), and their male descendants in succession. Specifications are made for expenses to be used for candles, lamps and religious festivals as well as for the running of the waqf and the appointment and replacement of its administrators and beneficiaries. It ends with a discourse on the legality of the waqf.
The end of the document bears the names of several important officials attached to his office who acted as witness to the document, as listed below.
Mehmed Sherif Efendi, the Deputy (Kethüda) of the Grand Vizier (Sadr-i Azam) Ebubekir Ratib Efendi, Head of the Imperial Chancery (Reisülküttab). He was later Ottoman ambassador to Vienna and wrote an account of the French Revolution (see Fatih Yeșil, 'Looking at the French Revolution through Ottoman Eyes: Ebubekir Ratib Efendi's Observations', Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, 70, No.2, 2007, pp.283-304). Mehmed Said Bey Efendi, the Chief Usher of the Imperial Palace; Salih Bey, Head Palace Door-Keeper and Treasurer to the Grand Vizier Ahmed Bey, Secretary to the Deputy Grand Vizier Mustafa Aga, Silahdar of the Grand Vizier Feyzi Aga, the Keeper of the Wardrobe (Çuhadar) of the Grand Vizier Ahmed Faiz Efendi, Devatdar of the Grand Vizier 'Ali Bey Efendi, Secretary to the Treasury of the Grand Vizier Ismail Aga, and Keeper of the Key of the Treasury of the Grand Vizier.
A copy of Divan-i hazik copied by Mustafa al-Uskudari, dated 1795, displays very similar margins to those of the present manuscript, as well as a nearly-identical pink hyacinth (Atasoy 2002, p.194, inv.no. TSM EH 1682).
The manuscript lists the various properties the revenue of which is to be turned into waqf and the various posts for which the waqf is to provide; these include an imam for the mosque, people to recite various prayers and surahs, preachers, teachers, people to distribute alms to the poor, caretakers for copies of the Qur'an and furnishings, muezzins as well as the administrators of the waqf. His wife Nefise Hatun is made the overseer (mütevelliye), and their male descendants in succession. Specifications are made for expenses to be used for candles, lamps and religious festivals as well as for the running of the waqf and the appointment and replacement of its administrators and beneficiaries. It ends with a discourse on the legality of the waqf.
The end of the document bears the names of several important officials attached to his office who acted as witness to the document, as listed below.
Mehmed Sherif Efendi, the Deputy (Kethüda) of the Grand Vizier (Sadr-i Azam) Ebubekir Ratib Efendi, Head of the Imperial Chancery (Reisülküttab). He was later Ottoman ambassador to Vienna and wrote an account of the French Revolution (see Fatih Yeșil, 'Looking at the French Revolution through Ottoman Eyes: Ebubekir Ratib Efendi's Observations', Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, 70, No.2, 2007, pp.283-304). Mehmed Said Bey Efendi, the Chief Usher of the Imperial Palace; Salih Bey, Head Palace Door-Keeper and Treasurer to the Grand Vizier Ahmed Bey, Secretary to the Deputy Grand Vizier Mustafa Aga, Silahdar of the Grand Vizier Feyzi Aga, the Keeper of the Wardrobe (Çuhadar) of the Grand Vizier Ahmed Faiz Efendi, Devatdar of the Grand Vizier 'Ali Bey Efendi, Secretary to the Treasury of the Grand Vizier Ismail Aga, and Keeper of the Key of the Treasury of the Grand Vizier.
A copy of Divan-i hazik copied by Mustafa al-Uskudari, dated 1795, displays very similar margins to those of the present manuscript, as well as a nearly-identical pink hyacinth (Atasoy 2002, p.194, inv.no. TSM EH 1682).