Antiquities, Islamic, and Contemporary Middle Eastern Art: Featuring Selections from the Dr. Mohammed Said Farsi Collection

CELESTIAL MOVEMENTS: BOOK OF ASTRONOMICAL MOVEMENTS AND DEGREES OF CELESTIAL MOTION WRITTEN IN ARABIC, SAFAVID, 17TH CENTURY

The auction will start in __ days and __ hours

Start price: £550

Estimated price: £600 - £800

Auction house commission:

This rare manuscript, dating from the 17th century Safavid period, is a scholarly work detailing the movements and degrees of celestial bodies. The text is meticulously written in Arabic and is accompanied by numerous tables and diagrams that illustrate various aspects of astronomy, including the phases of the moon and the positions of stars and planets.


The manuscript is a testament to the advanced state of Islamic astronomy during the Safavid era, reflecting the period’s deep interest in science and the cosmos. The detailed tables, filled with numbers and annotations, demonstrate the methodical approach to understanding celestial movements, while the accompanying diagrams provide visual clarity to the complex concepts discussed.

The manuscript is written on high-quality paper, typical of the period, with some signs of wear consistent with its age. The cover bears an inscription in Arabic, indicating the title of the work, and the pages inside are decorated with intricate borders and occasional flourishes, adding to the manuscript’s aesthetic and historical value.

This book would have been an invaluable resource for scholars and astronomers of its time, and it remains a significant artifact of Islamic science and scholarship. Its detailed content and fine condition make it an exceptional piece for collectors of rare manuscripts, Islamic art, or those with an interest in the history of astronomy.

14 pages 

H: 27cm, W: 18.5cm