Exquisite Ottoman-Era Quran Manuscript by Hafız Seyyid Mehmed Hulusi Efendi (1275 AH)

This remarkable Quran 171 year old manuscript, meticulously written by the esteemed Ottoman calligrapher Hafız Seyyid Mehmed Hulusi Efendi. A devoted student of Seyyid Mehmed Hulusi Efendi.

Encased in its original period leather binding, the manuscript exudes timeless elegance, featuring:

• Opening double page fully illuminated in colours and gold
• 15 lines per page written in neat naskh script in black ink, verses separated by gold florets decorated with orange and blue dots,
• Sura headings written in white thulth on gold illuminated panels
• Gold boaders with meticulously applied gilded stops
• Original cover with a sensitively restored spine, preserving its historical integrity
• Measuring 9×15 cm, this rare and precious manuscript is a product of the Ottoman golden age of calligraphy, bearing the distinct influence of Mehmed Şevki Efendi’s celebrated calligraphic school

This manuscript is not just a Quran—it is a piece of Ottoman heritage, an irreplaceable artifact that bridges the divine with the artistic. Perfect for collectors, scholars, and connoisseurs of Islamic art, this is a rare opportunity to own a truly exceptional work from the Ottoman period.

Who is Seyyid Mehmed Hulusi?

​Seyyid Mehmed Hulusi (d. 1847) was a distinguished Ottoman calligrapher renowned for his mastery of the sülüs and nesih scripts. Born in Kastamonu, he was the son of Osmân Ağa and a descendant of the Seyyid Mehmed Şemseddînü’l-Buhârî lineage. He pursued his education in Istanbul, where he studied under Mahmud Râcî Efendi at the Râgıb Paşa Library, obtaining his calligraphy license (ijaze) in these scripts. Subsequently, he served as the second librarian (hâfız-ı kütûb-i sânî) at the same institution and continued his studies with Alî Vasfî Efendi.

He served for many years at the Râgıb Pasha Library, where he dedicated himself to copying manuscripts and educating students. Following the death of his teacher, he was appointed to the esteemed position of first librarian. During this period, he also completed his studies in various branches of religious science. He was later entrusted with delivering sermons at the Hekimoğlu Ali Pasha Mosque and was appointed as the chair sheikh of the Nusretiye Mosque in Tophane. He passed away on 1 Rebi’ul-evvel 1291 AH (18 April 1874) at his residence across from the Yavuz Mehmed Agha Mosque in Haseki and was laid to rest in the Merkez Efendi Cemetery.

Seyyid Hulusi’s legacy extended through his family, notably mentoring his nephew, Mehmed Şevki Efendi, who became a prominent calligrapher and founded the “Şevki school” of calligraphy