Alchemy discussion forum > Alchemical Symbolism and Imagery > Alchemy Symbolism and Imagery > imagery in islamic alchemy
Alchemy discussion forum > Alchemical Symbolism and Imagery > Alchemy Symbolism and Imagery > imagery in islamic alchemy |
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Rafal T. Prinke Member 
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There is a relatively recent book by Okasha El Daly, Egyptology: The Missing Millennium. Ancient Egypt in Medieval Arabic Writings (London, 2005), which reproduces a number of pages from the manuscript of Kitab al-Aqalim by Abu ‘l-Qasim al-‘Iraqi (British Library in London, MS Add 25724). Some of the imagery is strikingly similar to what appears in later Latin alchemical iconography. But I have just found another page reproduced in Arcana sapienza by Michela Pereira (p. 89, originally reproduced in another Italian book), showing three birds of different colours, reminiscent of the three birds in Splendor solis (image 13). I wonder if any other images from that manuscript have been published? It would be interesting to see their ordering/sequence and possible influence on later European imagery. |
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Paul Ferguson Member 
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Rafal T. Prinke wrote:There is a relatively recent book by Okasha El Daly, Egyptology: The Missing Millennium. Ancient Egypt in Medieval Arabic Writings (London, 2005), which reproduces a number of pages from the manuscript of Kitab al-Aqalim by Abu ‘l-Qasim al-‘Iraqi (British Library in London, MS Add 25724). Some of the imagery is strikingly similar to what appears in later Latin alchemical iconography. But I have just found another page reproduced in Arcana sapienza by Michela Pereira (p. 89, originally reproduced in another Italian book), showing three birds of different colours, reminiscent of the three birds in Splendor solis (image 13). 1. Dr. El Daly has some interesting articles and related material online: http://muslimheritage.com/topics/default.cfm?ArticleID=712 http://muslimheritage.com/topics/default.cfm?ArticleID=1105 2. Another image from the MS here (wonderful!): http://www.flickr.com/photos/renzodionigi/3475862892/ 3. Possible link with the Voynich MS  discussed here:http://www.ciphermysteries.com/2008/06/28/egyptian-arabic-link-to-the-vms 4. MS Arabe 2676 in the BN in Paris seems to have similarities. Possibility of obtaining scans? Attached Image (viewed 2751 times): |
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Rafal T. Prinke Member
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Thanks, Paul. The demon in rasta pyjamas is really cute :-) Nick Pelling's (Voynich website) information that the MS is actually 18th c. is quite distressing as in that case the influence may have also come back from Europe. |
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Paul Ferguson Member
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Rafal T. Prinke wrote:Thanks, Paul. The demon in rasta pyjamas is really cute :-) Pelling seems to imply that this is an 18th copy of a 14th century original: 'Might the lettering in a similar 14th century Arabic document (of which this is apparently a copy) have been the specific inspiration for the Voynich’s cipher alphabet?' |
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adammclean Member 
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Rafal T. Prinke wroNick Pelling's (Voynich website) information that the MS is actually 18th c. is quite distressing as in that case the influence may have also come back from Europe. I have noticed that a number of arabic manuscripts are late copies of earlier material. One wonders how much they were reworked during the copying. Perhaps some scholar will have done some research on copying in the arabic manuscript tradition in general. Last edited on Mon Aug 31st, 2009 10:16 am by adammclean |
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adammclean Member
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Here are two pages of chemical and pharmaceutical processes from manuscripts in the Freer Gallery in Washington. Attached Image (viewed 2371 times): Last edited on Mon Aug 31st, 2009 10:16 am by adammclean |
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adammclean Member
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The second item. Attached Image (viewed 2256 times): |
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adammclean Member
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Here is a page from an arabic manuscript in the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. Attached Image (viewed 2418 times): |
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adammclean Member
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Here are couple of illustrations from a manuscript. British Library MS. Oriental. Add. 25724 This has a series of astrological and alchemical treatises. Attached Image (viewed 2518 times): |
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adammclean Member
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The second illustration fom the BL department of oriental manuscripts. Attached Image (viewed 2411 times): |
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