Ahmad bin Ali ibn Zanbal al-Rammal, Kitab al-Thahab al'Abrir fi Ilm al-Raml al-Athar ('Book on the Science of Sand', a treatise on geomancy), in Arabic, decorated manuscript on paper [Near East (possibly Syria), dated Safar 1191 AH (1777 AD)] 48 leaves, complete, catch-words, single column, 19-21 lines black cursive naskh per page, key words and headings in red, 6 full-page tables and charts in the text, a few contemporary ink inscriptions to margins, 3 additional folios (one pasted to the lower pastedown and two loosely inserted), a few ink smudges, some outer margins darkened or soiled, top edge of first leaf repaired (not affecting text), 225 by 165mm.; early nineteenth-century morocco over pasteboards, outer edges ruled in gilt, covers with later blind-stamped decorative medallions, a little scuffed This treatise deals with the art of divination by interpreting lines and textures in sand. The text is 'Ilm al-Ramal' (science of the sand) in Arabic, and is the work of Ibn Zunbul nicknamed 'al-Rammal' (the geomancer) for his work in this area. This composition focuses on the patterns and formations of the sand and translates them into codes, often connecting them with divinations and astronomical events, while his other work Kitab al-maqalat fi hall al-Muskilat, is considered more of a practical manual for geomancy. Ibn Zunbul's precise dates are unknown, but he was certainly alive in the mid-sixteenth century: Sultan Suleyman I (1520-1566 AD) is cited in one of his writings, and one of the author's sons is known to have passed in away in 1553. He was a reputable astronomer and an army general in the Mamluk court, being cited by Brocklemann as a civil servant of the war division (Brockelmann II, 43, 298).
Ahmad bin Ali ibn Zanbal al-Rammal, Kitab al-Thahab al'Abrir fi Ilm al-Raml al-Athar ('Book on the Science of Sand', a treatise on geomancy), in Arabic, decorated manuscript on paper [Near East (possibly Syria), dated Safar 1191 AH (1777 AD)] 48 leaves, complete, catch-words, single column, 19-21 lines black cursive naskh per page, key words and headings in red, 6 full-page tables and charts in the text, a few contemporary ink inscriptions to margins, 3 additional folios (one pasted to the lower pastedown and two loosely inserted), a few ink smudges, some outer margins darkened or soiled, top edge of first leaf repaired (not affecting text), 225 by 165mm.; early nineteenth-century morocco over pasteboards, outer edges ruled in gilt, covers with later blind-stamped decorative medallions, a little scuffed This treatise deals with the art of divination by interpreting lines and textures in sand. The text is 'Ilm al-Ramal' (science of the sand) in Arabic, and is the work of Ibn Zunbul nicknamed 'al-Rammal' (the geomancer) for his work in this area. This composition focuses on the patterns and formations of the sand and translates them into codes, often connecting them with divinations and astronomical events, while his other work Kitab al-maqalat fi hall al-Muskilat, is considered more of a practical manual for geomancy. Ibn Zunbul's precise dates are unknown, but he was certainly alive in the mid-sixteenth century: Sultan Suleyman I (1520-1566 AD) is cited in one of his writings, and one of the author's sons is known to have passed in away in 1553. He was a reputable astronomer and an army general in the Mamluk court, being cited by Brocklemann as a civil servant of the war division (Brockelmann II, 43, 298).
Try LotSearch and its premium features for 7 days - without any costs!
Be notified automatically about new items in upcoming auctions.
Create an alert
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
