A RARE OTTOMAN ENGRAVED TOMBAK HILIYE
, TURKEY, 17TH CENTURY

An Arabic manuscript on gilt-copper, composed of 6 rectangular panels, engraved throughout with the text in muhaqqaq and thuluth scripts, the interstices decorated with leafy tulips. Framed.
41.7 by 28 cm.

Inscriptions:
The text includes: Quran, chapter 21 surah Al-Anbya, verse 107, a few of Prophet’s attributes, his physical characteristics, the names of the ‘Seven Sleepers’ and their dog and the names of the four Caliphs.

Although difficult to define in exact terms, the Hilye can be summarized as a ‘description’ of the Prophet Muhammad, in that it entails both physical characteristics as well as referring to his temperament and behavior. In the absence of any images of the Prophet, his description according to ‘Ali Ibn ‘Ali Talib (his son-in-law and nephew) is generally regarded as the most authentic, providing a powerful verbal image. Thus, most Hilyes take Ali’s description as their basis.

PROVENANCE
Private collection, Germany