4th Jun, 2025 11:00
Indian, Islamic, Himalayan and South-East Asian Art and Greek and Roman Antiquities
4
NASIR AL-DIN TUSI (D.1274), TAHRIR KITAB USUL AL-HANDASAH LI-UQLIDIS, QAJAR PERSIA, DATED 1845-6
a manuscript of Tusi's recension of Euclid’s Elements of Geometry, the text composed in 17 lines of elegant cursive script within a gold margin enclosed by blue lines, numerous diagrams in red and black throughout the manuscript within a further double border in black, leather binding, approximately 250 ff., folio 22.5 x 14.1 cm., text 15.2 x 6.3 cm.
A later owner's inscription records the manuscript as having been in the possession of Ziya al-Din al-Durri al-Isfahani, dated 1928-9.
OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE
Property from a New York private collection
This commentary by Al-Tusi is arrnaged in 15 books and is based on the Arabic translations of Euclid's works by al-Hajjaj ibn Yusuf and Thabit ibn Qurra made in the 9th century. It is considered one of the most important treatises in the Arabic language and was prized amongst Western scholars with the first printed version appearing under the patronage of the Medici's in Rome in 1594. The Euclidian theorem on Geometry retained currency into the twentieth century.
The manuscript includes and owners inscription belonging to Ziya al-Din al-Durri al-Isfahani, dated 1347 (1928-9 A.D.).
No Reserve
Sold for £1,200
a manuscript of Tusi's recension of Euclid’s Elements of Geometry, the text composed in 17 lines of elegant cursive script within a gold margin enclosed by blue lines, numerous diagrams in red and black throughout the manuscript within a further double border in black, leather binding, approximately 250 ff., folio 22.5 x 14.1 cm., text 15.2 x 6.3 cm.
A later owner's inscription records the manuscript as having been in the possession of Ziya al-Din al-Durri al-Isfahani, dated 1928-9.
OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE
Auction: Indian, Islamic, Himalayan and South-East Asian Art and Greek and Roman Antiquities, 4th Jun, 2025
Auction Location: London, UK
The sales include sculpture, bronzes, metalwork, textiles and paintings representative of the richly varied styles seen across the Indian subcontinent, from early Buddhist and Jain art to Mughal and European-influenced works of art of the colonial era.
Works of art from all parts of the Islamic world, from Morocco in the west, through the Middle East, Persia and Central Asia to muslim China and South East Asia in the East are included in the sale. Objects range in date from the early centuries of Islam to the early 20th century at a wide range of price levels.
The sales also include Khmer, Thai and Javanese sculpture and bronzes, textiles from the Indonesian islands, Thai ceramics, Burmese lacquer and Buddhist manuscripts. Works of art range from the early Indian-influenced styles from 9th century Java to the elaborate carved and lacquered woodwork from Colonial Burma.
For full details of bibliographic references, see pages 192-193 of the page turning and printed versions of the catalogue.
PUBLIC EXHIBITION:
Sunday 1st June 12pm - 4pm
Monday 2nd June 10am - 8pm
Tuesday 3rd June 10am - 5pm
CONTACT US
Lara Defries
lara.defries@olympiaauctions.com
Mr Arthur Millner
arthur.millner@olympiaauctions.com
Nicholas Shaw
nicholas.shaw@olympiaauctions.com
Viewing
PUBLIC EXHIBITION:
Sunday 1st June 12pm - 4pm
Monday 2nd June 10am - 8pm
Tuesday 3rd June 10am - 5pm
