Description:

AL-TANTAWI'S ZIJ FOR KNOWING THE TABLES & MOVEMENTS OF THE ROTATING PLANETS BY DAY & NIGHT OF ASTRONOMY, CLASSIFYING THE WORLD, THE ASTRONOMER MUHAMMAD IBN MUSTAFA AL-AZHARI AL-TANTAWI AL-DIMASHQI, WRITTEN IN THE YEAR 1290AH, IN THE UMAYYAD MOSQUE IN DAMASCUS 

 

AL-TANTAWI'S ZIJ FOR KNOWING THE TABLES & MOVEMENTS OF THE PLANETS
Ottoman Syria, dated 17th century

Description:

Arabic manuscript on cream paper; black and red ink, text arranged in dense grids and tables, with marginal annotations. This rare astronomical treatise, attributed to al-Tantawi, comprises a comprehensive zij—a set of astronomical tables—detailing planetary positions, lunar phases, and celestial movements. The manuscript features intricate computational tables, likely used for calendrical calculations and astrological interpretations.

The text is penned in a clear naskh script, with red ink highlighting key headings and numerical data. The manuscript exhibits signs of use, including marginal notes and some staining, consistent with its age and scholarly use. The binding is in dark brown leather, with a blind-stamped central medallion and decorative borders, showing wear but structurally sound.

Comparable examples:

  • A 17th-century Ottoman astronomical manuscript, containing similar zij tables, sold at Sotheby’s, London, Arts of the Islamic World, 25 October 2017, Lot 83, for £11,875. 

  • A Persian astronomical manuscript, dated AH 1275/1858-9 AD, featuring planetary tables, sold at Christie’s, Islamic Art, 7 October 2010, Lot 67, for £10,000. 

  • A Timurid Kitab'i Zij, a compendium of astrological tables, dated 841 AH/1462 AD, sold at Shapero Rare Books for $18,300.

Note:
Zij manuscripts were essential tools for astronomers and astrologers in the Islamic world, providing data for celestial calculations and timekeeping. This manuscript reflects the rich tradition of astronomical scholarship in Ottoman Syria, combining scientific precision with artistic presentation. The presence of marginal annotations suggests active engagement by scholars, enhancing its historical and academic value. 


Length x Width: 19.5 x 13.5cm

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