A Rare Mushaf From The Museum of Turkısh and Islamıc Arts Qur an Collectıon The Callıgraphıst Sheyh Hamdullah Efendı s Mushaf was Completed After 350 Years

The Mus haf, belonging to the rich Qur an collection of the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts, Istanbul, was begun to be written by the calligraphist Sheyh Hamdullah Efendi. However, its completion took place approximately 350 years after it was started to be written. Being the only confirmed Mus haf in the Qur an collection of the museum, makes it significantly important. The Mus haf also demonstrates the level at which the school of Sheyh Hamdullah has evolved in 350 years in terms of calligraphy. The calligraphist Sheyh Hamdullah Efendi (1429- 1520) started to write the Mus haf, but after more than three centuries the calligraphist Yahya Hilmi Efendi (1833- 1907) completed it. The Mus haf was confirmed by the well-known calligraphists of their time such as calligraphist Kazasker Mustafa izzet Efendi (1801- 1876), calligraphist Mehmed Hulusi Efendi (d. 1874) and calligraphist Mehmed §evki Efendi (1829- 1887). Such an approval considerably contributed to the value of this piece of art.It is certain that Yahya Hilmi Efendi had his own style and taste of the art among the calligraphists of the same school like Sheyh Hamdullah and Hafiz Osman Efendi. Despite the differences in his style, Yahya Hilmi Efendi was able to finish the Mus haf in the same manner it was first begun to be written. This demonstrates his proficiency and expertise in the art of calligraphy.