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Treasures Of Khalili – The Magic Of Science – Canvas Magazine Flipbook PDF
Treasures Of Khalili – The Magic Of Science – Canvas Magazine
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The Magic of Science The Arts of Islam: Treasures from the Nasser D Khalili Collection
Science in Islam was at its high peak between the ninth and 13th centuries. Charlotte Schriwer of the Nasser D Khalili Collection of Islamic art examines the achievements of the early Islamic scientists; skilled physicians, mathematicians and astronomers who seamlessly combined religion and science. 144
treasuresofkhalili Facing page: Celestial globe. Dated AH 684 (AD 1285-6). Iran. Brass, sheet metal, with silver-inlaid dots. 13.4 cm (diameter). © Nour Foundation.
T E X T
BY
C H A R LO T T E
P H O T O G R A P H Y A N D
C O U R T E S Y
BY
O F
S C H R I W E R
C H R I S T O P H E R
T H E
K H A L I L I
P H I L L I P S
FA M I LY
T R U ST
he Nasser D Khalili Collection of Islamic Art holds a
Medieval Islamic scholars were renowned for their
uniquely diverse collection of objects related to science, tools
scientific knowledge and were often far ahead of their
and magic; ranging from basic utilitarian objects, such as glass
European counterparts. ’Ilm was the word used for science; a
cupping devices dating from as early as the seventh century,
term incorporating the learning and understanding that came
to the more complex and intricately detailed tools of the 19th
from studying the forces that controlled human existence. It
and 20th centuries, such as astrolabes, quadrants and qiblah
referred to any investigation, not only by scientific methods
compasses. Detailed scientific manuals and handbooks,
but also by other means, such as magic, which sought to
elaborately decorated magic
find
medicine bowls, talismans and
the seemingly inexplicable.
amulets, and rare alchemical equipment, as well as delicately produced stars
globes
and
mapping
constellations
across the skies, add to this incomparable
collection
Medieval Islamic scholars were renowned for their scientific knowledge and were often far ahead of their European counterparts.
of
possible
answers
to
Therefore magic was deemed to be a perfectly acceptable form of scholarly investigation and interpretation, just in the same way as mathematics, astrology and alchemy.
scientific instruments and tools. Many of these have not been studied in great detail, and although their function and
Faith and the Physical
purpose may still remain an enigma to scholars of Islamic art
In Islam, science and religion are often closely related. Medicine
and history today, there is no doubt that these objects were
was one of the sciences for which medieval Islamic scholars
essential and reflect the necessity of science and magic in
were most famous. For example, in 16th-century Padua the
everyday life for any individual, regardless of their status in
‘Qanun fil-Tibb (Medical Encyclopaedia)’ of Ibn Sina (Avicenna)
society. Furthermore, although not all objects may display great
was still referred to as long as 600 years after it had first been
beauty in the historical sense, their interest lies in their purpose;
written. Studies of the human anatomy, as well as medical and
if not in the aesthetic, at least in the functional.
pharmaceutical compendia, all drew on the traditional medical 145
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Although unconventional in modern practice, the use of magic in medicine and divination as well as for physical and spiritual protection was common in medieval Islam.
practices established by the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH). A
investigation and research. Manuals in human anatomy, for
The Supernatural
first recorded example was discovered, as well as Egypt. The
superbly decorated example of this work entitled ‘Al-Tibb Al-
example, began to show detailed colour drawings of organs,
Although unconventional in modern practice, the use of magic
practice also existed in other areas of the Islamic world, such
Nabawi (Medicine of the Prophet)’ by Ibn Qayyim Al-Jawziyyah
the circulatory system, bones and muscles, while the medicinal
in medicine and divination as well as for physical and spiritual
as 16th-century India, from which the Khalili Collection holds a
includes a finely illuminated tughra of Ottoman Sultan
properties of plants were studied in ever greater depth.
protection was common in medieval Islam. Deeply rooted in
superb example.
In addition to the various reference books, scientific tools
the belief in God, Islamic magic differed in practice from other
Amulets, plaques, talismanic charts and shirts, as well
were also produced. Another specialty of medieval Islamic
cultures because it reflected devotion to Him, and piety, unlike
as treatises on magic are also featured in the Khalili Collection.
Following on the esteemed traditions of the Prophet
scholars was their knowledge of alchemy (the mixing of metals;
the traditions of other ancient cultures that practiced magic.
One work in particular stands out; that of the 13th-century
(PBUH), medical and scientific manuals began to include more
first to attempt to create gold), which became the forerunner
Magic squares, containing numbers believed to have magical
author Abu’l-‘Abbas Ahmad Ibn ‘Ali Ibn Yusuf Al-Buni who
detail over the centuries, as knowledge expanded through
of modern chemistry, the two often being interchangeable in
or protective properties, certain chapters from the Qur’an, as
wrote ‘Al-Shams Al-Ma’arif (The Illumination of Knowledge)’,
medieval Islamic science. The equipment used for alchemical
well as ‘Asma’ Al-Husna’ (The 99 Beautiful Names of God) often
a popular treatise on talismans, magic squares and common
experiments was frequently made of glass. The process of
adorned objects such as metal medicinal bowls. Curiously, the
occult practices. The superbly illuminated example in the
distillation, in particular, involved a condensing vessel (alembic
names of famous rulers associated with magical and protective
Khalili Collection was produced in 19th-century Marrakesh
or Ar‘anbiq) and a receiving vessel (cucurbit or Arqar’).
properties, such as Salah Al-Din, were sometimes also
and consists of 40 chapters discussing topics such as the
Distillation was commonly used for pharmaceutical, medicinal
inscribed on these bowls. Magic medicine bowls are believed
use of numbers and squares, the magical properties of certain
and industrial purposes, such as the production of perfumes.
to have been popular in 11th and 12th-century Syria, where the
Qur’anic verses and the ‘Asma’ Al-Husna’. Al-Buni draws on
Suleyman the Magnificent (reigned 1520-1566), which was produced in Ottoman Turkey during the 16th century.
Previous pages: Kitab-i Bahriye (The Book of the Sea) of Piri Reis. Circa 1670. Ottoman Turkey. Ink, gouache and watercolour on paper. 24 x 34 cm. © Nour Foundation. Above: Two fragmentary folios from a herbal compendium. 13th century. Probably Iraq. Ink and watercolour on paper. 14.2 x 16.9 cm and 16 x 16.5cm. © Nour Foundation. Facing Page: Tibb Al-Nabawi of Ibn Qayyim Al-Jawziyyah. Dated 21 Shawwal 926 (4 October 1520). Probably Damascus, Syria. Ink, gold and opaque watercolour on paper. Folio size 17.5 x 12.1 cm. © Nour Foundation.
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the pre-Islamic Hellenistic and Jewish traditions, as well as
the data had to be extracted, calculated and manipulated to
other cultures assimilated into Islamic culture, and maintains
arrive at a satisfactory solution. For a globe to function properly,
his faith by including the essentials of Islamic magical practice
it normally came with a stand containing meridian and horizon
of prayers and readings from the Qur’an.
rings from which readings could be taken through their proper
Mapping was not limited to the heavens. Islamic science enjoys a long history of cartography from as far back as the 11th century, with works such as the famous ‘Kitab Al-Mamalik wa-l Masalik (Book of Postal Routes and Kingdoms)’ by the medieval geographer Al-Istakhri.
alignment. In many cases, these rings have disappeared and Calculating Discoveries
been replaced by later, non-functioning stands, but the Khalili
In the science of mathematics, particularly in geometry and
Collection holds two splendid, intact examples.
algebra, Muslim scholars were exceptionally skilful. Both
In addition, the Khalili Collection is fortunate to have
were studied in great depth
one of the oldest surviving
by
and
celestial globes, it dates from
star pointers of this astrolabe not only listed stars (commonly
the instruments were crafted
13th-century Iran, and is the
found in Hellenistic and Babylonian heritage, from which
with precision and accuracy
earliest known globe to employ
traditional European astronomy was born)
according to indepth scientific
the specific details concerning
but unusually also mentions their pre-
studies. Perhaps foremost in
the constellation provided in a
Islamic Bedouin names.
importance to medieval Islamic
treatise on astronomy by ‘Abd
scientists
simplifying
Al-Rahman Al-Sufi, the 10th-
Charting Territories
the process of finding the
century astronomer to the royal
Mapping was not limited
Alexandria and Cairo, as
direction of Mecca in order to
court of Isfahan.
to the heavens. Islamic
well as listing towns and
science enjoys a long
villages dotted along the
Islamic
scientists,
was
facilitate prayer for Muslims.
trend of the Age of Discovery that occurred in 15th-century Europe and the Americas by preparing a map of the New World, an area virtually uncharted by medieval or early modern Islamic cartographers. The ‘Kitab-i Bahriye’ offers detailed charts and town views of places such as Venice and Genoa,
This was achieved by means
Star Searching
history of cartography
Nile River. The specific
of astrological and mapping
While its use in Europe had
from as far back as
details, executed in a
devices. Instruments such as
almost ceased entirely by the
the
century,
range of colours and
astrolabes, qiblah compasses
17th century, the astrolabe was
with works such as
stylistic drawings, include
and
were
in use in the Islamic world until
the famous ‘Kitab Al-
shoals, sandbanks and
thus welcome and commonly
the 20th century. One can trace
Mamalik wa-l Masalik
marshes. The 63 illustrated
used inventions.
the history of science in Islam
(Book of Postal Routes
Collection
back to its Hellenistic and
and Kingdoms)’ by the
holds one of the largest and
pre-Islamic Indian traditions,
medieval
most diverse private collections
which subsequently travelled
Istakhri. Of the most famous
of celestial globes, constructed
westward to Al-Andalus and
maps among the Khalili Collection, the
using
on to medieval Europe. As an
‘Kitab-i Bahriye’ of Piri Reis, is one of the most
instrument, the astrolabe is
interesting works of cartography and the mapping of the earth. A
constellations, with stars only, without stars; or with astrological
beautiful as well as practical. It solved the main concerns of
Turkish admiral and cartographer, Piri Reis followed the general
imagery. The tradition of celestial mapping can be traced
Islamic astronomy, such as astrology, finding the direction of
back to Greece in the sixth century BC, and as a science was
the qiblah, and determining prayer times through the position
designed to solve timekeeping issues and other astronomical
of the stars. Among the extraordinary collection of astrolabes
and astrological problems. The celestial globe, like the
in the Khalili Collection is a precisely executed and wonderfully
astrolabe, could not be used as a direct reading instrument;
detailed example dating from ninth-century North Africa. The
celestial
The
and
150
globes
Khalili
different designs,
techniques either
with
11th
geographer
folios remaining in the Khalili Collection, which unfortunately Al-
Facing Page: ‘Kitab Al-Masalik wa’l-Mamalik (the Book of Postal Routes and Kingdoms)’ by Al-Istakhri. 706 AH (1306-07 AD). Iran, perhaps Isfahan. Ink, gold, silver and opaque watercolour on paper. 25 x 15 cm. © Nour Foundation. Above: Magic-medicinal bowl. 16th century. India, probably the Deccan. Brass alloy, cast and turned. 8.5 cm (height), 22.8 cm (maximum diameter). © Nour Foundation.
have no supplementary text, are an exemplary reflection of the navigational skill and knowledge Muslim scholars acquired over centuries of scientific research, study and practice.
‘The Arts of Islam: Treasures from the Nasser D Khalili Collection’ is at Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi, until 22 April. For information on the collection, visit www.khalili.org 151