The Maqamat al-Hariri, or The Collection of Stories of al-Hairi

The Maqamat al-Hariri, or The Collection of Stories of al-Hairi

The manuscript contains the epic poems of the poet al-Hariri, which tells of the adventures of Abu Zayd and narrated by a merchant named al-Harith who travels with Zayd. These “sessions” reveal Zayd's impressive mastery of the Arabic language and his use of riddles and puns throughout his travels. Unlike much Islamic art, this secular work contains figural imagery that is delightful and fanciful, matching the tone of adventure of the tales.

This manuscript and its facsimile give insight to one of the most popular Arabic poems of the Late Abbasid Period. Both the original manuscript and facsimile in particular exemplify “luxury” books, created at a large scale and embellished with much imagery. The facsimile, covered in a hand-stamped binding with traditional extended back cover flap, and commentary volume are bound as a matching set and encased together.

Original MS: Abu Muhammed al Qasim ibn Ali al-Ḥarīrī, Yahya ibn Mahmud al-Wasiti
Facsimile: Touch Art, London 2003

Facsimile: UNT Special Collections Library, ND 3399.H26
Original MS: Paris, Bibliotheque national de France, MS arabe 5847

Touch Art, London

Facsimile: 2003
Original MS: c. 1237 CE/ A.H. 634

Introduction: Oleg Grabar

Touchart, London

NA

Original MS & Facsimile: 168 folios with 101 illustrations and measures 27 x 38 cm

Facsimile: Arabic
Commentary: English, German, French, and Arabic

Secular Illustrated Stories

Luxury Secular Arabic Manuscript

Late Abbasid Period, c. 1230-1295.

Prepared by Ashley Enfield and Amelia Hill