Description:

Lot 12. A RARE SAFAVID MUSICAL BOOK, MENTIONING MUSICIAN ʿALĪ IBN MUḤAMMAD MEMĀR
Shiraz, 17th Century

Written in black nastaʿlīq script on light brown paper, this compact Persian treatise is illustrated with finely ruled red and gold diagrams explaining musical scales and modal systems. The text comprises verse and prose passages interspersed with schematic drawings, including concentric circular charts, branching diagrams, and tables delineating tonal relationships and rhythmic measures. Occasional rubrication highlights key terms and numerical notation.

The manuscript is bound in a dark brown leather cover embossed with a central lobed medallion and cusped spandrels, enclosing a red inner lining with traces of wear and later fabric repairs along the spine.

Musical manuscripts of this type were used by court musicians and theorists to record the principles of melodic structure, rhythm, and harmony within the Persian musical tradition. The reference to the musician ʿAlī ibn Muḥammad Memār situates this example within the scholarly milieu of 17th-century Shiraz, where music theory and poetic composition flourished under Safavid patronage.

Length x Width: 9 x 10cm

Accepted Forms of Payment:

MasterCard, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

We have our own specialist packing and international shipping service and are happy to arrange this for you, we will add a postage and packing quote to your sales invoice. We also offer a door to door courier service to take the stress out of receiving delicate or expensive items.

If you are arranging your own professional delivery, please ensure that the lot has been paid for and the transport company has full details of the items being collected and an appointment has been booked. We work strictly on an appointment basis for dispatching goods.

If you choose to use our services we will ensure goods that have left the auction premises are in perfect condition, by choosing our in house professional packaging services you agree to our terms and conditions and do not hold us accountable for any damages or loss of items in transit. You will be provided with a tracking number and all our packages sent out will require a signature upon delivery. We do not insure goods dispatched unless asked to do so, which will incur additional charges added to your invoice upon request.

We thank you for using our specialist packing & shipping service and hope to continue to do business with you in the near future.

November 4, 2025 1:00 PM GMT
London, United Kingdom

PLAKAS

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 31% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
£0 £99 £5
£100 £199 £10
£200 £499 £20
£500 £999 £50
£1,000 £1,999 £100
£2,000 £4,999 £200
£5,000 £9,999 £500
£10,000 £19,999 £1,000
£20,000 £49,999 £2,000
£50,000 £99,999 £5,000
£100,000 £199,999 £10,000
£200,000 £499,999 £20,000
£500,000 £999,999 £50,000
£1,000,000 + £100,000