Turkish Version of the Wonders of Creation

Description Walters manuscript W.659 is an Ottoman illuminated and illustrated Turkish version of 'Aja'ib al-makhluqat (Wonders of creation) by Zakariya al-Qazwini (died 692 AH/AH 1293), made at the request of the Vizier Murtaza Pasa (Murtadá Pasha) (active 11th century AH/AD 17th). The codex was completed in 1121 AH/AD 1717 by Muhammad ibn Muhammad Shakir Ruzmah-'i Nathani. There are 444 paintings illustrating the text. The binding is not original to the manuscript.

Exhibitions

• Mirror of Time: The Moon in Islamic Art and Culture (WT). Aga Khan Museum, Toronto. 2019.

Provenance Henry Walters, Baltimore [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.

Credit Acquired by Henry Walters