Single Leaf from the Arabic Version of Dioscorides' De materia medica

Walters leaf W.675 is a single leaf from a dispersed manuscript (Aya Sofya 3703, later Top Kapi Seray 2147) of the Arabic version of De materia medica by Dioscorides (active ca. 65) that was copied in 621 AH/AD 1224 in Baghdad. Approximately 30 illustrations were removed from this parent manuscript that are now in public and private collections. The Walters' leaf depicts two doctors preparing medicine. A funnel is set on a tripod over a vessel. The two men preparing the medicinal draught stand on either side of the tripod beside two fruit trees. The text is written in partially vocalized Naskh script in brownish-black and red ink.

Provenance

Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object.

Library of Aya Sofya, Istanbul, no. 3703 [1]. Acquired by Fredrik Robert Martin [1868-1933], Stockholm, before 1912 [2]. Acquired by Max Williams [d. 1927 (?)], New York [3]. Acquired by Dikran Kelekian [1868-1951], New York [4]; acquired by Henry Walters, Baltimore, 1928; by bequest to Walters Art Museum, 1931.

[1] Removed from manuscript likely late 19th-early 20th century
[2] See Martin, “Miniature Painting and Painters of Persia, India and Turkey” (1912)
[3] Label on paper removed from verso: “Max Williams / 538 Madison Avenue / Between 54th and 55th Street / New York / No. A5529
[4] Photograph in curatorial file labeled “Kelekian 1928”