Nizam al-Din 'Abd al-'Ali ibn Muhammad ibn al-Husain al-Birjandi (d. 1525), Bist Bab, an illustrated treatise on astronomy, Qajar Persia, early 19th Century
Persian manuscript on European watermarked paper, 199 leaves, 12 lines to the page written in clear nasta'liq script in black ink, names and significant words and sentences picked out or underlined in red ink, catchwords in wide outer margins, numerous tables, diagrams and coloured drawings, some corners rather thumbed, some smudging, modern red binding
205 x 155 mm.
The author, an astronomer and jurist, worked in Isfahan at the court of the Safavid Shahs Isma'il I (reg. 1501-24) and Tahmasp I (reg. 1524-76). See lot 55 for the same text.
The subjects of the illustrations are as follows:
The Constellations of the Northern Hemisphere: 1. Dubb Asghar, Ursa Minor; 2. Dubb Akbar, Ursa Major; 3. Tanin, Dragon; 4. Qiqa'us, Cepheus; 5. 'Uva, Bootes; 6. Iklil Shamali, Corona Borealis; 7. al-Jasi, Hercules; 8. Shalyak, Lyra; 9. Dajajah, Cyngus; 10. Zat al-Kursi, Cassiopeia; 11. Hamil Ras al-Ghul, Holder of the Div Barsavush's Head, Perseus; 12. Sahm, Sagitta; 13. 'Uqab, Aquila; 14. Dalfin, Delphinus; 15. Qat'at al-Faras, Equuleus; 16. Faras 'Azam, Pegasus; 17. Mar'ah Musalsalah, Andromeda; 18. Musallas, Triangulum.
The Signs of the Zodiac:
19. Hamal, Aries; 20. Thaur, Taurus; 21. Jauza, Gemini; 22. Saratan, Cancer; 23. Asad, Leo; 24. Sinbulah, Virgo; 25. Mizan, Libra; 26. 'Aqrab, Scorpio; 27. Qaus, Sagittarius; 28. Jadi, Capricorn; 29. Dalv, Aquarius; 30. Hut, Pisces.
The Constellations of the Southern Hemisphere:
31. Qitas, Cetus; 32. Jabbar, Orion; 33. Nahr, Eridanus; 34. Arnab, Lepus; 35. Kalb Akbar, Canis Major; 36. Kalb Asghar, Canis Minor; 37. Safinah, Argo Nevis; 38. Shuja, Hydra; 39. Batir, Crater; 40. Ghurab, Corvus; 41. Qantaurus, Centaurus; 42. Majmara, Ara; 43. Iklil Janubi, Corona Australis; 44. Hut Janubi, Pisces Australis.
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Persian manuscript on European watermarked paper, 199 leaves, 12 lines to the page written in clear nasta'liq script in black ink, names and significant words and sentences picked out or underlined in red ink, catchwords in wide outer margins, numerous tables, diagrams and coloured drawings, some corners rather thumbed, some smudging, modern red binding
205 x 155 mm.
The author, an astronomer and jurist, worked in Isfahan at the court of the Safavid Shahs Isma'il I (reg. 1501-24) and Tahmasp I (reg. 1524-76). See lot 55 for the same text.
The subjects of the illustrations are as follows:
The Constellations of the Northern Hemisphere: 1. Dubb Asghar, Ursa Minor; 2. Dubb Akbar, Ursa Major; 3. Tanin, Dragon; 4. Qiqa'us, Cepheus; 5. 'Uva, Bootes; 6. Iklil Shamali, Corona Borealis; 7. al-Jasi, Hercules; 8. Shalyak, Lyra; 9. Dajajah, Cyngus; 10. Zat al-Kursi, Cassiopeia; 11. Hamil Ras al-Ghul, Holder of the Div Barsavush's Head, Perseus; 12. Sahm, Sagitta; 13. 'Uqab, Aquila; 14. Dalfin, Delphinus; 15. Qat'at al-Faras, Equuleus; 16. Faras 'Azam, Pegasus; 17. Mar'ah Musalsalah, Andromeda; 18. Musallas, Triangulum.
The Signs of the Zodiac:
19. Hamal, Aries; 20. Thaur, Taurus; 21. Jauza, Gemini; 22. Saratan, Cancer; 23. Asad, Leo; 24. Sinbulah, Virgo; 25. Mizan, Libra; 26. 'Aqrab, Scorpio; 27. Qaus, Sagittarius; 28. Jadi, Capricorn; 29. Dalv, Aquarius; 30. Hut, Pisces.
The Constellations of the Southern Hemisphere:
31. Qitas, Cetus; 32. Jabbar, Orion; 33. Nahr, Eridanus; 34. Arnab, Lepus; 35. Kalb Akbar, Canis Major; 36. Kalb Asghar, Canis Minor; 37. Safinah, Argo Nevis; 38. Shuja, Hydra; 39. Batir, Crater; 40. Ghurab, Corvus; 41. Qantaurus, Centaurus; 42. Majmara, Ara; 43. Iklil Janubi, Corona Australis; 44. Hut Janubi, Pisces Australis.
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