Zayn al-Din Jurjani (died in 1136)

Zakhîra-i Khwârazmshâhî / Thesaurus dedicated to the king of khwarazm

signed and dated 1234H. (=1818-19)

Persian manuscript on ivory paper, 199 pages, 17 lines per page in black "naskh", a few words in red, divided into two parts, the first one concerns the encyclopedia of medical science; it is followed by a concise account of the zakhirah.

The colophon indicates that the manuscript was completed to be copied by Muhammad Ali al-Hussayni's son in 1234 AH.

Modern flapless binding.

Iran, ca 1818-19

21.5 x 16 cm



Zayn al-Din Sayyed b. Husayn Gorgani (1040-1136), also spelled al-Jurjani, was a 12th-century physicist from Urganj, Uzbekistan. In addition to the medical and pharmaceutical sciences, he was also a follower of the theological, philosophical and ethical sciences. He arrived in the province of Khwarazm in northern Persia in 1110 when he was already in his seventies. There he became physician to the governor, Khwarazm-Shah Qutb al-Din Muhammad I, who reigned from 1097 to 1127. It is to him that he dedicated this work.



A Qajar signed and dated copy of "Zakhîra-i Khwârazmshâhî", by Zayn al-Din Jurjani (d.1136), Iran, 1818-19.

'Treasury dedicated to the king of Khwarazmshahi'), an encyclopaedia of medical science, Persian manuscript, 199ff. On paper, 17ll. In black naskh, catches words in red, in two parts, signed "son of Muhammad Ali al-Hussayni, dated 1234AH.



Al-Gorgani (1040-1136), also spelled al-Jurjani, was a 12th century physicist from Urganj, Uzbekistan. In addition to the medical and pharmaceutical sciences, he was also a follower of the theological, philosophical and ethical sciences. He arrived in the province of Khwarazm, north of Persia, in 1110 when he was already in his seventies. There, he became the governor's physician, Khwarazm-Shah Qutb al-Din Muhammad Ist (1097-1127) to whom he dedicated this book.



References:

See for example Sotheby's lot 9, April 2016, and Christies lot 32, April 2018.