[Calendrical and astrological manuscript].
8vo (130 x 193 mm). 10 ff. Ottoman Turkish manuscript on paper. Black ink in naskh script, with important words, numbers, and phrases in red. With illuminated 'unwan, rubricated charts, an astronomical diagram, and 12 marginal drawings of the months of the zodiac. Contemporary gilt stamped calf with fore-edge flap. Marbled endpapers.
€ 18,000.00
A delicately executed Ottoman Turkish calendar with finely drawn diagrams indicating the movement of the sun in the signs of the zodiac, astrological charts indicating actions to take or to avoid at a certain time of day, and the signs of the zodiac drawn in marginal medallions.
Calendars of this style were popular in the Ottoman Empire and evolved into the almanacs of the later period. This example is particularly beautifully presented and also includes an illustration of a lunar eclipse. While eclipse diagrams are a common inclusion in many astrological and astronomical manuscripts of the time, it would have been particularly relevant in the years covered, as there would be a total lunar eclipse particularly visible in the Ottoman Empire during July 1674.
Binding professionally and subtly repaired with spine/front hinge replaced; the final diagram has been clipped from a damaged leaf and pasted on a fresh one. Hint of staining, but altogether a beautiful example of the calendrical tradition.