Description:

Lot 129. AN OFFICIAL DOCUMENT
Ottoman Turkey, 19th/20th Century

This official Ottoman document is executed in elegant divani script in black ink on cream paper, framed within a simple gilt and red wooden frame. At the top right, it bears the imperial tughra—the stylized signature of the reigning sultan—accompanied by a circular state seal, attesting to its authenticity as a formal administrative decree.

The vertical text flows rhythmically down the page, typical of late Ottoman chancery style, and includes formal salutations and the bureaucratic phrasing characteristic of government correspondence. Such documents were commonly issued by the Divan-ı Hümayun (Imperial Council) to record appointments, tax matters, property rights, or judicial rulings.

This example is a refined demonstration of Ottoman calligraphic artistry, where administrative writing attained a level of aesthetic harmony. The controlled balance of elongated verticals and tight curves exemplifies the beauty and precision of divani calligraphy, underscoring the cultural sophistication embedded even in state documentation.

Length x Width: 87 x 38cm

Folio: 70 x 22cm

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

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