Ancient Manuscript Review 205 : Antique Malay jawi Handwritten Manuscript ( 18th Century)

This is a large manuscript without cover written in Malay language in Jawi. Acquired from Sarawak Borneo.

Manuscript Specs

Item : Antique Malay Islamic Jurisprudence

Manuscript Content : Islamic Jurisprudence

DIM : 35cm x 20cm

Date : 18th Century CE

Copyist : anonymous

Origin : South East Asia

Calligraphy : Malay -Naskh

Design : Written in Malay-Naskh scripts in black and red

Purchased Price : USD

Ancient Manuscript Review 158 : Antique Malay Handwritten Quran ( 19th Century)

 

This is a beautifully written Quran manuscript originated from South East Asia. Every Juz first page is decorated with Surah Al Kahf full decorated in the middle. Few pages from the beginning and the ending of this Quran missing. Unfortunately this Quran is in a bad shape with most of the pages damp and covered with fungus. I have a plan to treat this Quran when I have some spare time.  This manuscript is written in Malay-Naskh calligraphy in black ink on Dutch beige paper 15 lines to a page. .All headings are written in red with every “ ayaah” or verses are separated by small red circle.  

 

The borders of the pages are ruled  double black line. About 200+ leaves ( 400+ pages). This Quran is undated but we estimated it from 18th century.  I acquired this manuscript from a friend in Indonesia in 2014.

Manuscript Specs

Item : Antique Malay Quran
Manuscript Content : Quran
Dim : 33 cm x 21 cm x 3 cm
Date : 18th century
Copyist : anonymous
Origin : South East Asia
Calligraphy : Malay - Naskh
Design : Written in Malay-Naskh scripts in red & black
Purchased Price :US

Ancient Manuscript Review 153 : Antique Malay Quran Manuscript 18th Century

 

This is a beautifully written Quran manuscript originated from South East Asia. This is a complete Quran without any missing pages. This manuscript is written in Malay-Naskh calligraphy in black ink on Dutch beige paper 15 lines to a page. Brown leather binding beautifully embossed in a floral design.Some pages are loose, water stained and torn with fraying edges.All headings are written in red with every “ ayaah” or verses are separated by small red circle.  

 

The borders of the pages are ruled with red ( inset) and black ( outset).About 200+ leaves ( 400+ pages). This Quran is undated but we estimated it from 18th century based from the watermark on most of the pages. The watermark bears the words Concordia Res Parvae Crescunt ( Through concord little things grow) and a crowned lion, a typical theme used by VOC Dutch ( 1603-1800CE) during occupation in Indonesia. I acquired this manuscript from a friend in Indonesia in 2014.

Manuscript Specs

Item : Antique Malay Quran
Manuscript Content : Quran
Dim : 33 cm x 21 cm x 3 cm
Date : 18th century
Copyist : anonymous
Origin : South East Asia
Calligraphy : Malay - Naskh
Design : Written in Malay-Naskh scripts in red & black
Purchased Price :US

Ancient Manuscript Review 150 : Antique Malay Maulid Manuscript 18th Century

This is a malay manuscript on praises and prayers for Prophet Muhammad (SAW) written in Arabic with translation in Javanese. Acquired from Indonesian contact in 2014. Undated but it is estimated from 18th Century due to its written on oriental paper.

Manuscript Specs

Item : Antique Malay Manuscript
Content : Maulid of Prophet
Dim :  215mm  x  170mm
Date : 18-19th century
Copyist : anonymous
Origin : Indonesia
Calligraphy : Malay
Design : Written in Malay scripts in red & black in Arabic & Javanese language
Purchased Price :US

Ancient Manuscript Review 148 : Antique Batak Pustaka / Pustaha Bark Manuscript ( 18th Century)

This is my another manuscript of Batak tribe ( Indonesia) made of tree bark. The bast of a tree is pulled off in long strips and then prepared and folded like an accordion.
I couldnt understand the content of this manuscript however from the book "Illuminations The writing Traditions of Indonesia" this manuscrit is called pustaha or pustaka. It contains texts on the tribal rituals, oracles & medicine recipes.
This manuscript is covered with wooden covers and secured with a woven rope. This manuscript if unfolded is about 252 cm. Dimension is 7 cm by 10 cm.
This Pustaka was written in Batak script and in this specific manuscript only ones who are trained could understand the content. According to Van De Tuuk, this text is composed in the language code referred to as Hata Poda.
See below my other Pustaha


Antique Batak Manuscript

Manuscript Specs

Item : Antique Batak Pustaka Manuscript
Content : Batak Pustaka
Dim : 252cm x 10 cm x 7 cm
Date : 18-19th century
Copyist : anonymous
Origin : Sumatra Island ( Indonesia)
Calligraphy : Batak Script
Design : Written in batak scripts in black
Purchased Price :US

Ancient Manuscript Review 145 : Antique Malay Prayers Manuscript ( 19th Century)

This is a small manuscript on various Islamic topics written in an old Malay language. Acquired from Central Market in Malaysia in 2014. Undated but it is estimated from 19th Century.
Manuscript Specs

Item : Antique Malay Manuscript
Content : Islamic prayer, Fiqh, Talisman & selected Quranic verses
Dim :  10mm  x  80mm x 10mm
Date : 18-19th century
Copyist : anonymous
Origin : Malaysia
Calligraphy : Malay
Design : Written in Malay scripts in red & black in Arabic & Malay language
Purchased Price :US

Ancient Manuscript Review 141 : Antique Malay Manuscript ( 19th Century)

This is a manuscript on Arabic grammar written in an old Malay language. Acquired from Central Market in Malaysia in 2014. Some pages are burned due to the acid from the ink.

Undated but it is estimated from 18th Century based on the watermark on the paper showing a partial ProPatria.This paper was produced in Dublin Ireland circa 1760 CE. Hence it is safe to assume based on this watermark the age of this manuscript. The British Army might have brought the paper supply to Malaysia during the colonization era.

Manuscript Specs

Item : Antique Malay Manuscript
Content : Arabic Grammar
Dim :  200mm  x  170mm x 10mm
Date : 18th century
Copyist : anonymous
Origin : Malaysia
Calligraphy : Malay
Design : Written in Malay scripts in red & black with Arabic with some translation in Malay
Purchased Price :US

Ancient Manuscript Review 125 : Antique Bali Lontar Manuscript ( 19th Century)

This is a very interesting type of manuscript. The origin of this manuscript is Bali island, Indonesia. The script  was written on  "lontar" leaf.
Lontar leaf derives from the palmyra species of palm, Borassus flabellifer, which is common in Indonesia. In Balinese, the palmyra palm is named "tal" ( deriving from "tala", the sanskrit name for the talipot palm), and this is reflected in the term "lontar", which is an inversion of the word "rontal" meaning "leaf" (ron) of the "tal tree" (tal).
Both sides of lontar leaf provide a writing surface. An iron stylus called a pangutik is used to inscribe the writings on the leaf surface.
I dont have any information about the content of this lontar manuscript but I believe its about the beliefs and ritual laws of Balinese.
Each leaf is 12" in length and 2.5" in width. There are total of 50+ leaves and sandwiched by  2 flat boards called " cakepan". These cakepans are made of bamboo.
( Reference : Illuminations The Writing Traditions of Indonesia)

See my other Lontar manuscripts below :
Bali Lontar 01
Bali Lontar 02
Quran Lontar

Manuscript Specs

Item : Antique Bali Lontar Manuscript
Content : Balinese Ritual
Dim : 12" x  1" x 2.5"
Date : 18-19th century
Copyist : anonymous
Origin : Bali island
Calligraphy : TBA
Design :
 Purchased Price :US

Ancient Manuscript Review 119 : Antique Indonesian Lontar Quran Manuscript (20th Century)

This is a very interesting Quran manuscript from Indonesia. These Quranic verses were written on Lontar i.e a leaf derives from the palmyra species of palm, Borassus flabellifer, which is common in Indonesia. An iron stylus called a pangutik is used to inscribe the writings on the leaf surface.
The inscription of Quranic on Lontar is rare because by tradition only kawi script was written.
There are about 7 Quranic chapters in this manuscript. Total 35 palm leaves and binded by thick thread and stored in a mahogany box.

According to the person who sold me this manuscript, this lontar came from Aceh and its estimated from 18-19th century.
However when I received this manuscript, I doubt that its really that old. The lontar leaves are pale yellow and quite in good condition.I estimated this manuscript must have been made within 50 years.
My other lontar manuscripts which are more than 100 years of age have darker color and the condition of the leaves is quite fragile. See below links for comparison:
Bali Lontar Manuscript 1
Bali Lontar Manuscript 2

Codicology

Title Page : Nil

Content    : 7 Surahs of Quran

Date         :  20th Century CE

Copyist    : Anonymous

Patron      : Nil

Origin      : Aceh , Indonesia

Place acquired : Pekanbaru, Indonesia

Illuminations : Nil

Calligraphy : Ghubari

Number of lines :3 lines perleaf

Inks          : Main text inscribed in black

Punctuation: Diacritical marks in black

Frame       :  Nil

History of Manuscript :

Number of folios : 35leaves

Support of writing : pale yellowish Lontar leaf

Gatherings : N/A

Catchwords :Nil

Dimensions : 105 cm x 37 cm

Binding   : Covers are from wood

Estimated Market Price :

Purchased Price : USD

Remarks :Manuscript is stored inside a mahogany box

Ancient Manuscript Review 92 : Antique Batak Pustaka / Pustaha Bark Manuscript ( 18th Century)

This is a manuscript of Batak tribe ( Indonesia) made of tree bark. The bast of a tree is pulled off in long strips and then prepared and folded like an accordion.
I couldnt understand the content of this manuscript however from the book "Illuminations The writing Traditions of Indonesia" this manuscrit is called pustaha or pustaka. It contains texts on the tribal rituals, oracles & medicine recipes.
Normally this manuscript comes with 2 wooden covers which are missing. This manuscript if unfolded is about 335 cm. Dimension is 25 cm by 18 cm.
This Pustaka was written in Batak script and in this specific manuscript only ones who are trained culd understand the content. According to Van De Tuuk, this text is composed in the language code referred to as Hata Poda.


Manuscript Specs

Item : Antique Batak Pustaka Manuscript
Content : Batak Pustaka
Dim : 335cm x 25 cm x 18 cm
Date : 18-19th century
Copyist : anonymous
Origin : Sumatra Island ( Indonesia)
Calligraphy : Batak Script
Design : Written in batak scripts in black
Purchased Price :US

Ancient Manuscript Review 84 : Antique Malay Quran Manuscript ( 19th Century)

 

This is a beautifully written Quran manuscript originated from South East Asia. Its believed to have been written in 18-19th century. This manuscript is written in Malay-Naskh calligraphy in black ink on Dutch beige paper 15 lines to a page. Black leather binding beautifully embossed in a floral design.Some pages are missing, water stained and torn with fraying edges.All headings are written in red with every “ ayaah” or verses are separated by small red circle. The borders of the pages are ruled with red ( inset) and black ( outset).About 200+ leaves ( 400+ pages). I acquired this manuscript from a friend in Indonesia quite a while ago.

Manuscript Specs

Item : Antique Malay Quran
Manuscript Content : Quran
Dim : 33 cm x 21 cm x 3 cm
Date : 18-19th century
Copyist : anonymous
Origin : South East Asia
Calligraphy : Malay - Naskh
Design : Written in Malay-Naskh scripts in red & black
Purchased Price :US

Ancient Manuscript Review 83 : Antique Malay Fiqh Manuscript ( 19th Century)

 

This is a handwritten manuscript originated from Indonesia. No title on this manuscript. The content is about Islamic Fiqh and written in Arabic language. Pages condition are bad with water stained, burrowed and some torn leaves. The cover is of brown leather embossed in a floral design. Written in black Naskhi script on beige Dutch paper, with particular words in red ink, interlinear with Javanese translation. No colophone however the manuscript could have been written either late 18th century or early 19th century.181 leaves ( 362 pages) with no missing pages.

Manuscript Specs
Item : Antique Malay Manuscript
Manuscript Content : Islamic Fiqh ( Jurisprudence)
Dim : 340mm x 220mm x50mm
Date : 19th century
Copyist : anonymous
Origin : Indonesia
Calligraphy : Malay - Naskh
Design : Written in Malay-Naskh scripts in black in Arabic
Purchased Price :US