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Lot 31

A large witnessed genealogical document tracing the lineage of al-Sharif Abi'l-Hasan 'Ali bin Muhammad al-Qashmari al-Ghurnati, to the Prophet Muhammad
Ottoman Empire, probably Algiers, dated 15th Dhu'l Qa'da 1023/17th December 1614

10 April 2008, 14:30 BST
London, New Bond Street

Sold for £4,800 inc. premium

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A large witnessed genealogical document tracing the lineage of al-Sharif Abi'l-Hasan 'Ali bin Muhammad al-Qashmari al-Ghurnati, to the Prophet Muhammad
Ottoman Empire, probably Algiers, dated 15th Dhu'l Qa'da 1023/17th December 1614

Arabic manuscript on vellum, 24 lines written in elegant maghribi script in brown ink, significant sentences picked out in bold yellow, red and blue, numerous inscriptions and seal impressions of witnesses below text, mostly those of Ottoman officials (naqib), richly decorated with a knotted outer border and an inner border containing verses from the Qur'an, a cartouche above text incorporating the ta'widh and the bismallah, and a cartouche below text incorporating the verse: la ghalib ila Allah, some flaking, trimmed, creased, framed
715 x 515 mm.

Footnotes

The document was witnessed by the Ottoman qadi of Algiers on 17th December 1614, the same date as that of the document. This implies that the document was drawn up in Algiers and confirmed that al-Ghurnati himself was recognised in the Ottoman Empire as a descendant of the Prophet and had the right to enjoy all the privileges reserved for those of the same lineage.

The office of the naqib al-ashraf was established during the reign of Sultan Beyazid (1481-1512), and his function was to verify claims concerning lineage and the administration of waqf revenues. See H. A. R. Gibb and H. Bowen, Islamic Society and the West, Oxford 1957, pp. 100ff.

For a full list of the witnesses to the document, please consult the Islamic department.

Additional information