One of three pages from an album of calligraphy

Identification and Creation

Object Number: 2012.2.2
Title: One of three pages from an album of calligraphy
Classification: Albums
Work Type: album folio
Date: 18th-19th century
Period: Ottoman period
Culture: Ottoman
Persistent Link: https://hvrd.art/o/337169

Physical Descriptions

Medium: Ink and gold on paper
Dimensions: 24.8 x 15.2 cm (9 3/4 x 6 in.)

Provenance

Recorded Ownership History: [Sotheby Parke Bernet Inc., New York, 15 June 1979, lot 170], sold; to Edwin Binney, 3rd, California (1979-1986), bequest; to the Harvard Art Museums, 2012.

NOTE:
Stored at the San Diego Museum of Art from some time before 1986 until 1991, then at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art from 1991-2011.

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line: Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, The Edwin Binney, 3rd Collection of Turkish Art at the Harvard Art Museums
Accession Year: 2012
Object Number: 2012.2.2
Division: Asian and Mediterranean Art
Contact: am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
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Descriptions

Description: This is one of three pages from an album of calligraphy written in naskh and thuluth scripts in horizontal format. The other sides of the original folios were most likely removed to be sold separately. Calligraphic works written in horizontal format with a combination of two (large and small) scripts on the same page, possibly to be included in albums, were typical for Ottoman calligraphers, especially after Hafiz Osman in the 17th century. It became a standard for Ottoman calligraphers to write kit’as (rectangular calligraphic work generally using two scripts) and receive icazet (certificate of competence and permission to teach calligraphy to others) from their masters directly on that page. We do not know the name of the scribe who created this or the other two pages. The texts are various examples of Arabic hadith (sayings of the Prophet Muhammad). On this folio short sections from three different hadith are selected.
I. Hadith 6984 from Sahih Muslim‘s Book 49 (They (the Companions of the Holy Prophet) said: Allah's Messenger, who are Mufarradun? He said: They are those males and females who remember Allah much)
II. Hadith 6482 of Sahih Bukhari’s Book 80 (The example of the one who celebrates the Praises of his Lord (Allah) in comparison to the one who does not celebrate the Praises of his Lord, is that of a living creature compared to a dead one.)
III. Hadith 7494 of Sahih al-Bukhari’s Book 98 (I am just as My slave thinks I am, (i.e. I am able to do for him what he thinks I can do for him) and I am with him if He remembers Me.

The frames on either side of the smaller script were usually reserved for illumination. Here no illumination is applied and the emphasis has been just on the calligraphy itself. There is a thin strip of tan colored paper decorated with blue leaf patterns serving as a frame around the calligraphy. Also a larger band made of strips of blue paper is used as the outer frame. A catchword can be seen on the upper left corner of the page.

Related Works

Verification Level

This record has been reviewed by the curatorial staff but may be incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of Asian and Mediterranean Art at am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu

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2012.2.2: One of three pages from an album of calligraphy