A CALLIGRAPHIC COMPOSITION IN GOLD ON A NATURAL DRIED OAK LEAF
Ottoman Turkey, dated 1317 AH (1899-1900)

Arabic calligraphic composition applied onto a natural dried oak leaf in gold with the so-called muthanna ("mirror image") technique, repeating the name of the Prophet Muhammad, signed by Sami and dated 1317 AH, mounted on a faded red cotton cloth-lined board, glazed and framed, the leaf 16.2cm long, 21cm x 15.5cm including the frame.

Two other golden leaves signed by Sami were offered at Bonhams London, 6 October 2008, lot 57 and 7 October 2010, lot 54. A number of these Turkish 20th-century leaves have been successfully selling in the London market. For further reference, please see Bonhams London, 19 April 2007, lot 39; 2 October 2012, lot 37; and more recently, 13 August 2020, lot 28; and our Rooms, 29 October 2020, lot 162.