AN OTTOMAN QURAN SIGNED HOCAZADE MEHMED ENVERI, OTTOMAN TURKEY, DATED 1102 AH/1690 AD

A complete Quran, Arabic manuscript on cream paper, each page with 15 lines written in black naskh script within gold and red rules, gold roundel verse markers outlined in polychrome dots. Surah headings in white thuluth script on a gilt ground within a decorated panel, gold and polychrome marginal floral motifs indicating the 'Juz' Two opening biofolia heavily with gilt and polychrome decoration framing 7 lines of black naskh script in clouds reserved against a sprinkled gold ground. Final folio signed 'written by al-Faqir Hocazade Mehmed in 1102 AH', within a roundel on a gilt and polychrome decorated ground. In brown morocco binding with flap decorated with gold painted central medallion and border. 11 by 18 cm. THE CALLIGRAPHER Student of Sheikh Hamdullah six scripts School, born in Istanbul, died 1105 AH/1694 AD and buried in Saudi Arabia-Medina. Mehmed known as 'Hocazade' because he is the son of an imam from Istanbul. Mehmed Enverî Efendi is also referred to by the nickname 'Karakız' according to some sources. He memorized the Quran during his childhood, he received a certificate for practicing thuluth and naskh script awarded by Suyolcuzâde Eyyubî Mustafa Efendi. Mehmed was one of the muezzins of Sultan Ahmed Mosque due to the beauty of his voice, was later promoted to ser-mu'ezzin after years of service and appointed as a teacher of calligraphy to Şehzade Mustafa. He gained fame with his unique style of calligraphy similar to the Sheikh Hamdullah Style. Later Mehmed became a teacher at Firuz Ağa School after he presented a Quran as a gift to the sultan during his enthronment. Mehmed went on pilgrimage in 1694 with the atiyya (money) he received in return, became ill on the way back and died in Medina.