abu dervish: November 2019

This is a very rare Cockerel-shaped tin coin of Kedah Sultanate.

This coin is in the shape of a fighting cockerel perched on a number of rings attached to its base. In this specimen, 10 rings are attached to its base.

See picture below to understand how the cockerel money looks like.

According to The Encyclopedia of the Coins of Malaysia Singapore & Brunei, the cockerel itself worths 5 cents of the Spanish Dollar with each ring carries 1 cent in value. The rings were broken off for a small purchase of a few cents.

This type of currency was first regulated during the time of Sultan Muhammad Jiwa Zainal Abidin Muazzam Shah reigning Kedah from 1710CE to 1773 CE. They were still in circulation till mid 19th Century.

Kedah is located in the northwestern part of Peninsular of Malaysia. The name of Kedah originated from the Sanskrit word Kadaram. It is also known by its Arabic honorific, Darul Aman ( Abode of Peace). The sultanate was the earliest one on the Malay Peninsular as well as one of the oldest Sultanate in the world.

The kingdom began in 630CE as a Hindu Kingdom which the first king was Maharaja Derbar Raja who originally a defeated Persian king of Gemeron ( Bandar Abbas) who fled to Kedah. The people of Kedah found him to be a very smart & tactical man, so they entrusted him to lead them as the king of Kedah.

This kingdom is a Hindu kingdom however I couldnt find in any history book in regards to the faith of Maharaja Derbar Raja. In 630 CE, Gemeron is part of Sassanian Kingdom which Zoroastrian is the main religion.

Towards the end of 11th century, the 9th Kedah Hindu king, Dubar Raja II renounced Hinduism and conerted to Islam. He adpoted an Islamic name, Sultan Muzafar Shah and continued ruling Kedah from 1136 to 1179 CE. This sultanate continues to rule till today.

This mean the present Sultan of Kedah, Sultan Abdul Halim Muzaffar Shah has a direct link back to not just the first Kedah Sultan, Sultan Muzaffar Shah (1136CE) but also to the first Hindu Sultan , Maharaja Derbar Raja ( 630CE). Try to imagine someone with unbroken family lineage since 630CE till now. Unbelievable!!

Weight :TBA gm

Dim : 15cm x 4cm

Rarity : RRR

Denom : 10 cincin = 10 cents, cockerel = 5 cents

Material : Tin

Reference : Saran's SS20 , pg 260

الْعِزُّ لِلَّهِ ۞ الْمُلْكُ لِلَّهِ ۞ وَلَا غَالِبَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ

This item is a ceremonial/architectural calligraphic textile banner (an embroidered door valance or wall hanging, produced in the tradition of Ottoman or North African/Andalusian-revival ceremonial fabrics like the Kiswah or Sitara).

1. Script Style

The central calligraphic panel is rendered in Floriated / Plaited Kufic (al-Kūfī al-Muwaraq). In this style, the vertical shafts of the Arabic letters (alifs and lams) extend upward and interlock to form repeating, symmetrical architectural arches and palmette leaves.

2. Decipherment & Translation of the Inscriptions

Across the entire stitched length of the banner, the main field and borders contain repeating, foundational Islamic honorifics and royal mottos:

Main Central Field (Repeating Inside Arches)

\begin{aligned} \text{\textbf{Arabic Inscription:}} & \quad \text{\rltext{العِزُّ لِلَّهِ ... المُلْكُ لِلَّهِ}}[cite: 8, 9] \\ \text{\textbf{Transliteration:}} & \quad \textit{Al-'Izzatu lillāh ... Al-Mulku lillāh}[cite: 8, 9] \\ \text{\textbf{English Translation:}} & \quad \textbf{“Glory and Might belong to God... Sovereignty belongs to God.”}[cite: 8, 9] \end{aligned}

\begin{aligned} \text{\textbf{Arabic Inscription:}} & \quad \text{\rltext{العِزُّ لِلَّهِ ... المُلْكُ لِلَّهِ}}[cite: 8, 9] \\ \text{\textbf{Transliteration:}} & \quad \textit{Al-'Izzatu lillāh ... Al-Mulku lillāh}[cite: 8, 9] \\ \text{\textbf{English Translation:}} & \quad \textbf{“Glory and Might belong to God... Sovereignty belongs to God.”}[cite: 8, 9] \end{aligned}

\begin{aligned} \text{\textbf{Arabic Inscription:}} & \quad \text{\rltext{العِزُّ لِلَّهِ ... المُلْكُ لِلَّهِ}}[cite: 8, 9] \\ \text{\textbf{Transliteration:}} & \quad \textit{Al-'Izzatu lillāh ... Al-Mulku lillāh}[cite: 8, 9] \\ \text{\textbf{English Translation:}} & \quad \textbf{“Glory and Might belong to God... Sovereignty belongs to God.”}[cite: 8, 9] \end{aligned}

\begin{aligned} \text{\textbf{Arabic Inscription:}} & \quad \text{\rltext{العِزُّ لِلَّهِ ... المُلْكُ لِلَّهِ}}[cite: 8, 9] \\ \text{\textbf{Transliteration:}} & \quad \textit{Al-'Izzatu lillāh ... Al-Mulku lillāh}[cite: 8, 9] \\ \text{\textbf{English Translation:}} & \quad \textbf{“Glory and Might belong to God... Sovereignty belongs to God.”}[cite: 8, 9] \end{aligned}

Secondary Base Line / Border Motto

\begin{aligned} \text{\textbf{Arabic Inscription:}} & \quad \text{\rltext{وَلَا غَالِبَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ}}[cite: 8, 9] \\ \text{\textbf{Transliteration:}} & \quad \textit{Wa lā ghāliba illā Allāh}[cite: 8, 9] \\ \text{\textbf{English Translation:}} & \quad \textbf{“There is no victor but God.”}[cite: 8, 9] \end{aligned}

\begin{aligned} \text{\textbf{Arabic Inscription:}} & \quad \text{\rltext{وَلَا غَالِبَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ}}[cite: 8, 9] \\ \text{\textbf{Transliteration:}} & \quad \textit{Wa lā ghāliba illā Allāh}[cite: 8, 9] \\ \text{\textbf{English Translation:}} & \quad \textbf{“There is no victor but God.”}[cite: 8, 9] \end{aligned}

\begin{aligned} \text{\textbf{Arabic Inscription:}} & \quad \text{\rltext{وَلَا غَالِبَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ}}[cite: 8, 9] \\ \text{\textbf{Transliteration:}} & \quad \textit{Wa lā ghāliba illā Allāh}[cite: 8, 9] \\ \text{\textbf{English Translation:}} & \quad \textbf{“There is no victor but God.”}[cite: 8, 9] \end{aligned}

\begin{aligned} \text{\textbf{Arabic Inscription:}} & \quad \text{\rltext{وَلَا غَالِبَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ}}[cite: 8, 9] \\ \text{\textbf{Transliteration:}} & \quad \textit{Wa lā ghāliba illā Allāh}[cite: 8, 9] \\ \text{\textbf{English Translation:}} & \quad \textbf{“There is no victor but God.”}[cite: 8, 9] \end{aligned}

3. Physical & Historical Characteristics

Technique: Couching with heavy metallic gold/silver thread (Zardozi / Kallabatun) onto a silk or satin foundation.
Function: Suspended above doorways, interior arches, or mihrabs using the fabric loops sewn along the top edge.
Artistic Context: The inclusion of the famous Nasrid motto (Wa lā ghāliba illā Allāh) alongside classical Kufic phrasing indicates an Andalusian-revival style common in 19th- to early 20th-century Ottoman and North African luxury textile workshops.

Item : Embroided Kufi Wall Hanger
Date : 1900 CE
Dim : 600mm x 1300mm
Design : Arabic Prayer or excerpts from Al Quran embroided in Kufi script

abu dervish

Monday, November 25, 2019

Ancient Coin Review 120 : Rare Cockerel Perched on 10 Rings Currency of Sultan Muhammad Jiwa Zainal Abidin Muazzam Shah ( Kedah Sultanate 1710 - 1773 CE)

Sunday, November 24, 2019

Ancient Artifact Review 105 : Antique Gold Embroidery Persian Wall Hanger with Kufi Calligraphy ( 19th Century)

1. Script Style

2. Decipherment & Translation of the Inscriptions

Main Central Field (Repeating Inside Arches)

Secondary Base Line / Border Motto

3. Physical & Historical Characteristics