Lot 125: An Ottoman Manuscript Painting of a Ship with...
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An Ottoman Manuscript Painting of a Ship with Surah al-Nur Calligraphic Sails, 19th.
A manuscript painting on cream-coloured paper depicting a right-facing ship, its form constructed in layered tones of yellow, pink, brown and grey. The two sweeping sails are completely filled with dense black calligraphy, written in continuous, uniform rows; the text appears to be verses from Surah al-Nur, creating a surface that reads visually like finely woven script-pattern. The hull displays rectangular panelled sections and zig-zag borders, while the mast rises high with detailed rigging in black and yellow bands, ending in a red triangular flag. Above the ship sits a small Arabic inscription in dark ink. Beneath the vessel are three stylised mound forms, each similarly filled with clustered calligraphic script within golden outlines. A small ink signature or note appears in a cartouche at the lower left.
Approximately 55.5 x 35cm
Provenance: Private collection from a distinguished W London collector.
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