Ottoman Diploma in Calligraphy
(Manuscripts and Rare Books, Islamic World , Islamic Manuscripts)
Walters manuscript W.674 is a diploma/certificate (ijazah) granted to the Ottoman calligrapher Muhammad Hilmi Afandi (Mehmet Hilmi Efendi) in 1219 AH/AD 1804-1805 by four master calligraphers: Yaziji-zadah, Isma'il al-Zuhdi Katib al-Saray al-Sultani, Muhammad Hasib, and 'Ali al-Wasfi. The main text, consisting of a quotation attributed to the Prophet Muhammad and extolling the virtue of elegantly writing the doxological formula (basmalah), "in the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful," is executed in Thuluth and Naskh scripts.
Provenance
Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object. Learn more about provenance at the Walters.
Henry Walters, Baltimore [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.
Geographies
Turkey (Place of Origin)
Measurements
Folio H: 6 5/16 x W: 8 11/16 in. (16 x 22 cm)
Credit Line
Acquired by Henry Walters
Location in Museum
Not on view
Accession Number
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
W.674