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A unique 16th-century manuscript of the "Khamsa" has been discovered in London.

Uzbekistan, Tashkent – According to AN Podrobno.uz, a delegation from Uzbekistan visited the auction houses Christie's and Sotheby's in London, where they were introduced to unique copies of manuscripts from the works "Khamsa" and "Shams and Mushtari," reports a correspondent from Podrobno.uz.
A unique 16th-century manuscript of the "Khamsa" has been discovered in London.
https://podrobno.uz/cat/calche/v-londone-obnaruzhili-unikalnuyu-rukopis-khamsy-xvi-veka/2024-12-02 08:12:08

The Uzbek delegation, led by the director of the Center for Islamic Civilization, Firdavs Abduhalikov, included representatives from the international research centers of Imam Maturidi, Imam Bukhari, and Imam Tirmidhi.

Sarah Plumbly, head of the Islamic and Indian Art department at Christie's auction house, shared insights about the organization's activities and showcased rare exhibits. Among the items presented were several manuscripts, including a manuscript of the famous "Khamsa," copied in 1524 by the representative of Eastern classical literature, Khoja Kirmani, and the epic "Shams and Mushtari," transcribed by Shamsiddin Muhammad Assor in Tabriz in 1494. Both manuscripts were created under the influence of the literary art of the Timurid period.

At Sotheby's auction house, the guests from Uzbekistan were shown a range of artifacts related to the cultural heritage of Central Asia. These included a Sogdian costume from the 8th century, ceramic vessels from the Samanid era, tiles from ancient buildings, as well as Quran manuscripts, presumably copied during the Mamluk and Timurid periods.

The head of the Center for Islamic Civilization proposed collaboration with auction houses. Their representatives were invited to the International Week of Islamic Cultural Heritage, which will take place in Tashkent in March 2025.

For reference. "Khamsa" ("The Quintet") is the principal poetic work of Alisher Navoi. The piece is written in the Chagatai language and unites five poems into a single work: "The Turmoil of the Righteous," "Farhad and Shirin," "Layli and Majnun," "The Seven Planets," and "Iskander-name."