AN ILLUMINATED QURAN JUZ SIGNED BY YAHYA HELMI EFENDI, OTTOMAN TURKEY, 19TH CENTURY

A Quran 28th juz, Quran surah Al-Mujadila, Al-Hashr, Al-Mumtahanah, As-Saff, Al-Jumu'ah, Al-Munafiqun, At-Taghabun, At-Talaq and surah At-Tahrim. Arabic manuscript on cream paper, 20 leaves each page with 9 lines written in large black naskh script, ruled in double gilt borders, gold roundel verse markers outlined in black with polychrome dots, margins heavily decorated with gilt floral motifs. Opening page with gilt and floral decoration framing 8 lines of black naskh script in clouds reserved against a sprinkled gold ground. The last two pages in gilt and blue decoration and signed by Yahya Helmi Efendi, student of Muhammed Hashem. In morocco restored leather binding. Text panel: 9.5 by 17 cm. Folio: 16.5 by 24.5 cm. THE CALLIGAPHER Yahya Helmi Efendi (1249/1325 AH - 1833/1907 AD) Born in Istanbul-Fatih, Suleymaniyah, buried in Istanbul-Fatih, Suleymaniye Mosque cemetery. Yahya started to work as a papermaker in Bayezid and became chief tradesman. After graduating from the Sıbyan school, he became one of the tutors of the Nizamiye Journal Clerk at the Bâb-ı Ser-Askerî at the age of 15. Meanwhile, by continuing Ahmed Hâzım Efendi's lessons in Bayezid and Sultan Ahmed mosques, he received his ijazet or certificate in 1281 AH/1864 AD. Yahya Helmi Efendi, who learned the arts of thuluth and naskh script from Mehmed Haşim Efendi while he was still in the primary school, continued to practice even though he was sick until the last days of his teacher. Yahya Helmi Efendi, who was an exceptionally powerful calligrapher especially in prose, is named after Kazasker Mustafa İzzet Efendi and Şevkî Efendi, two great naskh masters of the period. Yahya, who draws attention with his peculiar accent against their style, has managed to preserve his influence until today, wrote about 25 Qurans and an'am sharif. Three of his Qurans are still in the Topkapi Palace Museum, the Istanbul University Library and the Sakıp Sabancı Museum. The ochre-painted house in Süleymaniye, inherited from his father, where Yahya Helmi Efendi lived throughout his life, inherited his grandson Güzin Duran and lived here for years with his wife Feyhaman Duran, who was a painter like himself. This house, which was donated to Istanbul University by his wife after his death, was restored and turned into a museum after years of neglect. It attracts the attention of calligraphy enthusiasts.