AVICENNA (980-1037) - photo 1
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AVICENNA (980-1037)

Lot 155
10.12.2025 12:00UTC +00:00
Classic
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CHRISTIE'S
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationUnited Kingdom, London
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ID 1514403
Lot 155 | AVICENNA (980-1037)
Estimate value
£ 8 000 – 12 000
AVICENNA (980-1037)
Liber canonis, De medicinis cordialibus et cantica, jam olim quidem a Gerardo Caromensi ex Arabico sermone in Latinum conversa, postea vero ab Andrea Alpago Bellunensi [-Index in Avicennae libros nuper Venetiis editos … Julio Palamede Adriensi medico autore]. Venice: Giunta, 1555-1557.
Rare illustrated edition of the works of Avicenna: just two copies recorded at auction, according to RBH. Avicenna was a Persian physician and philosopher who 'had perhaps a wider influence in the eastern and western hemispheres than any other Islamic thinker' (PMM). Liber canonis, his voluminous medical encyclopaedia, presents a comprehensive account of contemporary medical knowledge in the Islamic world, tracing its origins to the teachings of Hippocrates, Galen and Aristotle. ‘The version of the De viribus cordis is by Arnaldus de Villanova and that of the Cantica by Armengandus Blasii. Includes the life of Avicenna translated by Nicola Massa from the Arabic of al-Juzjani (Sorsanus)’ (NLM). Adams A 2326; NLM/Durling 384 and 385; Edit16 CNCE 3549; cf. PMM 11.

Two parts in one, plus Index, folio (339 x 232mm). Titles with woodcut device, full-page woodcut diagram of the anatomy of the eye (f. 406v), and 6 woodcuts in the text showing massage, cupping, stretching and chiropractic techniques (occasional short tears to margins or corners, some damp-staining, worming at lower margin [not affecting text], slight soiling and creasing to final two index leaves. Contemporary vellum with large blindstamped arabesque to sides (neatly rebacked in white leather, lacking ties, boards slightly marked and wormed, modern endpapers). Provenance: Royal Society of Medicine (ink stamps [Medical & Chirurgical Society] on title, first preliminary leaf, and final index leaf).
Place of origin:Italy, Europe
Auction house category:Medicine & science, Books and manuscripts, Printed books
Address of auction CHRISTIE'S
8 King Street, St. James's
SW1Y 6QT London
United Kingdom
Preview
10.12.2025 – 10.12.2025
Phone +44 (0)20 7839 9060
Email
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