Author: DAMIRI, Muhammad ibn Musa al-.
Title: Kitab Hayat al-Hayawan [= Book of the life of animals].Meknes, Morocco, 1267 AH [= 1851 CE]. 4to (19 x 23 cm). Arabic manuscript on paper, brown maghribi script in two hands with important words and phrases in red and blue. With an illuminated head-piece at the start of the text in red, blue, green, and gold. Contemporary gold-tooled red leather with a fore-edge flap.
Description: 62 ll.A selection from the first systematic Arabic zoological lexicon, the most famous work of the Egyptian scholar al-Damiri (1341-1405 CE), little known in the West. In the "Hayat al-Hayawan", al-Damiri alphabetically lists over 900 animals mentioned in the Qur'an or known in Muslim literature. His extensive commentary explains the use of such animals in medicine, tradition, and ancient poetry: whether they can lawfully be eaten, and their role in folklore and superstition.Al-Damiri was a Muslim writer from Mamluk-era Egypt, and his other works are largely on canon law. His natural history, however, is considered his most influential and popular writing.Signed and dated by the scribe, Muhammad al-Makki bn Muhammad ibn Muhammad al-'Ayndaytah 'ibn al-faqira al-'Ansari al-Hazragi in Meknes, Morocco. The binding shows some slight signs of wear, some minor soiling, the first leaf is slightly chipped (without affecting the text). Otherwise in good condition. A scarce and appealing piece of medieval zoology.l Cf. GAL II, 137/8.

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