Arabic manuscript on paper, 52 leaves, 25 lines to the page written in small maghribi script in brown ink, headings and significant sentences and words picked out in red, catchwords, commentaries written in minute maghribi script in wide outer borders, text towards beginning interspersed with tables, creased otherwise in good condition, contemporary brown morocco gilt with stamped central medallions of red leather onlay, worn, crudely rebacked
204 x 143 mm.

Footnotes

The full name of the author is Abul-Hasan 'Ali ibn Muhammad ibn Muhammad ibn 'Ali al-Qurashi al-Basti al-Qalasadi (d. 1486). He was born in Granada, lived in Basta, Spain, and worked as a mathematician in Granada, Tlemcen and Tunis, where he died.

The title, which can be translated as Opening the Mysteries in the Science of Arithmetic and Figures, is a treatise on arithmetic of integers, fractions, roots, algebra and theory of perfect numbers. See B. A. Rosenfeld & E. Ihsanoglu, Mathematicians, Astronomers & Other Scholars of Islamic Civilisation and their Works (7th–19th C.), Istanbul 2003, p. 291, no. 865; also Brockelmann, GAL, II, 343-344; Suppl. II, 378-379.

Additional information

This auction is now finished. If you are interested in consigning in future auctions, please contact the specialist department. If you have queries about lots purchased in this auction, please contact customer services.
Buyers' Obligations
ALL BIDDERS MUST AGREE THAT THEY HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD BONHAMS' CONDITIONS OF SALE AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THEM, AND AGREE TO PAY THE BUYER'S PREMIUM AND ANY OTHER CHARGES MENTIONED IN THE NOTICE TO BIDDERS. THIS AFFECTS THE BIDDERS LEGAL RIGHTS.
If you have any questions about the Conditions of Sale, please contact your nearest client services team.
From 28 June 2025, the import into the EU of non-EU property of a certain age (and in some categories above a certain value) is subject to additional requirements. Under the relevant EU Regulation, it is the Buyer's sole responsibility to assess whether any Lot meets the criteria for import into the EU. The refusal of any required Import Licence or Importer Statement, or any delay in obtaining such Licence or Statement shall not give rise to the rescission or cancellation of any Sale, nor allow any delay in making full payment for the Lot.
Buyers' Premium and Charges
For all Sales categories, buyer's premium excluding Cars, Motorbikes, Wine, Whisky and Coin & Medal sales, will be as follows:
Buyer's Premium Rates
28% on the first £40,000 of the hammer price;
27% of the hammer price of amounts in excess of £40,000 up to and including £800,000;
21% of the hammer price of amounts in excess of £800,000 up to and including £4,500,000;
and 14.5% of the hammer price of any amounts in excess of £4,500,000.
A 3rd party bidding platform fee of 4% of the Hammer Price for Buyers using the following bidding platforms will be added to the invoices of successful Buyers for auctions starting on or after 6th July 2024 – Invaluable; Live Auctioneers; The Saleroom; Lot-tissimo.
VAT at the current rate of 20% will be added to the Buyer's Premium and charges excluding Artists Resale Right.
Payment Notices
For payment information please refer to the sale catalog.
Shipping Notices
For information and estimates on domestic and international shipping as well as export licenses please contact Bonhams Shipping Department.
- Islamic and Indian Art

•	Exempt from VAT
	Zero rated for VAT, no VAT will be added to the Hammer Price or the Buyer's Premium.

Abul-Hasan 'Ali al-Qarshi al-Qalsadi al-Ghurnati al-Andalusi, Kitab Kashf al-asrar 'an 'ilm al-hisab wa'l ghubar, a treatise on mathematics copied by the scribe 'Ali ibn al-Hajj al-Zahawi North Africa, probably Morocco, dated Tuesday 23rd Shawwal 1212[?]/10th April 1798

Own a similar item?

Looking for a similar item?

Ask about this lot

Oliver White