Ancient Manuscript Review 69 : Antique Persian Torah Scroll ( 500 years old)

This hand-written one of a kind Torah fragment is approximately 500 years old and has been beautifully preserved. These are the only red scroll fragments I have ever seen from Persia -- Extremely rare. Torah Fragments like these are seldom seen or available due to their age. Scrolls from Persia, are highly prized for the beauty of its soft colored parchment and their beautiful calligraphy. These parchments are so prized because they hold their ink well and the letters remain black and easy to read over centuries of use in a synagogue.
The piece measures approx. 20" x 5"
The scroll has an excerpt of Jacob leaves Laban to return to the land of his father
Genesis -Bereshit 31:1-31:30

Below is the excerpt of the Genesis 31: 1-30 from NIV


Jacob Flees From Laban

31 Jacob heard that Laban’s sons were saying, “Jacob has taken everything our father owned and has gained all this wealth from what belonged to our father.” 2 And Jacob noticed that Laban’s attitude toward him was not what it had been.3 Then the LORD said to Jacob, “Go back to the land of your fathers and to your relatives, and I will be with you.”4 So Jacob sent word to Rachel and Leah to come out to the fields where his flocks were. 5 He said to them, “I see that your father’s attitude toward me is not what it was before, but the God of my father has been with me. 6 You know that I’ve worked for your father with all my strength, 7 yet your father has cheated me by changing my wages ten times. However, God has not allowed him to harm me. 8 If he said, ‘The speckled ones will be your wages,’ then all the flocks gave birth to speckled young; and if he said, ‘The streaked ones will be your wages,’ then all the flocks bore streaked young. 9 So God has taken away your father’s livestock and has given them to me"10 “In breeding season I once had a dream in which I looked up and saw that the male goats mating with the flock were streaked, speckled or spotted. 11 The angel of God said to me in the dream, ‘Jacob.’ I answered, ‘Here I am.’ 12 And he said, ‘Look up and see that all the male goats mating with the flock are streaked, speckled or spotted, for I have seen all that Laban has been doing to you. 13 I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed a pillar and where you made a vow to me. Now leave this land at once and go back to your native land.’”14 Then Rachel and Leah replied, “Do we still have any share in the inheritance of our father’s estate? 15 Does he not regard us as foreigners? Not only has he sold us, but he has used up what was paid for us. 16 Surely all the wealth that God took away from our father belongs to us and our children. So do whatever God has told you.”17 Then Jacob put his children and his wives on camels, 18 and he drove all his livestock ahead of him, along with all the goods he had accumulated in Paddan Aram,[a] to go to his father Isaac in the land of Canaan.19 When Laban had gone to shear his sheep, Rachel stole her father’s household gods. 20 Moreover, Jacob deceived Laban the Aramean by not telling him he was running away. 21 So he fled with all he had, crossed the Euphrates River, and headed for the hill country of Gilead.
Laban Pursues Jacob
22 On the third day Laban was told that Jacob had fled. 23 Taking his relatives with him, he pursued Jacob for seven days and caught up with him in the hill country of Gilead. 24 Then God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream at night and said to him, “Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.”
25 Jacob had pitched his tent in the hill country of Gilead when Laban overtook him, and Laban and his relatives camped there too. 26 Then Laban said to Jacob, “What have you done? You’ve deceived me, and you’ve carried off my daughters like captives in war. 27 Why did you run off secretly and deceive me? Why didn’t you tell me, so I could send you away with joy and singing to the music of timbrels and harps? 28 You didn’t even let me kiss my grandchildren and my daughters goodbye. You have done a foolish thing. 29 I have the power to harm you; but last night the God of your father said to me, ‘Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.’ 30 Now you have gone off because you longed to return to your father’s household. But why did you steal my gods?”

Manuscript Specs

Item : A handwritten Torah Scroll
Content :Genesis -Bereshit 31:1-31:30
Dim :20" x 5"
Date : 15th century
Copyist : unknown
Origin : Persian
Calligraphy : Hebrew
Design : Text written in hebrew on thick red dear skin parchment in black.
Purchased Price :USD

Ancient Manuscript Review 68 : Antique Tauhid Manuscript in Javanese ( 19th Century)

 

This is a handwritten manuscript on Islamic Tauhid originated from Indonesia. It was written in Javanese language. The covers are made of thin brownish leather and seem to be original. No illuminations and no page missing. I acquired this manuscript from a friend in Indonesia about a few   years ago.

Manuscript Specs Item : Antique Malay Javanese Islamic Manuscript
Manuscript Content : Islamic Tauhid
Dim : 14" x 8.5" x 2.5"
Date : 18-19th century
Copyist : anonymous
Origin : Java island South East Asia
Calligraphy : Malay ?
Design : Written in Malay scripts in red & black
Purchased Price :US

Ancient Coin Review 49 : Ingot / Bidor Perak ( Perak Sultanate 16-19th century)

This is a bidor coin from Perak Sultanate as early as 16th century. This form of currency is called tin ingot. These ingots were casted of fixed weight and used for all major transactions in the bazaar as a form of currency.The value of each ingot depends upon its weight. By mid 1850's , ingots were gradually replaced by coinages.


Obv : An ornamental design of four rosettes based on the tampok manggis
Rev:  Blank
Weight : 1100 gm
Dim : 100 x 100 x 50 mm
Date : 16-19th century
Rarity : RRR
Denom : 1 tampang           
Material : Tin
Reference : SS38  pg 199 ( The Encyclopedia of the Coins)

Ancient Manuscript Review 67 : Antique Indian Lithographed Quran ( 1324 AH)

 

 

This is a beautifully lithographed Quran originated from Indian region. I know this is not under manuscript category however its heavy illuminations quite fascinating so I decided to post it up in here. Its dated 1324 AH = 1906 CE.

I acquired this Quran from a friend last year.

Manuscript Specs Item : Antique Indian Lithographed Quran
Manuscript Content : Quran
Dim : 7.5" x 5.5" x 1.5"
Date : 1324 AH ( 1906 CE)
Copyist : indechpierable
Origin : India
Calligraphy : Naskh
Design : 15 lines in black
Purchased Price :US

Ancient Coin Review 48 : Sultanah Nurul Alam ( Acheh Sultanate 1675-1678 CE)

This is a gold coin from Sultanah Nurul Alam Nakiat Din Shah era. She is the second female to be throned in Aceh Sultanate. She reigned Aceh from 1675 - 1678 CE.
Aceh is a state located at the northern end of Sumatra island ( Indonesia). It is also known by its Arabic honorific Darus Salam ( Abode of Peace) from 1511-1959 CE.
Aceh's origins are unquestionably Cham, as the Champa king Syah Pau Kubah sent his son Syah Pau Ling to rule over Aceh when the capital Vijaya in 1471 AD, was sacked by the Vietnamese Le Dynasty.
The Sultanate of Aceh was founded in 1511 CE after the fall of Pasai Sultanate by Sultan Ali Mughayat Shah. It’s presumed that he is the same person as Syah Pau Ling who converted to Islam.
The Sultanate lasted till 1903 when the last Aceh Sultan Muhammad III Daud Shah Johan Berdaulat surrendered to Dutch occupation.

Obv: Nakiat Din Berdaulat Shsh
Rev: Paduka Sri Sultanah Nur Alam
Weight : 0.60 gm
Dim : 1675 - 1678 CE
Rarity :
Denom : Mas
Material : Gold
Reference : A 18 pg 178 ( Jaarboek Voor Munt-en Penningkunde)

Ancient Manuscript Review 66 : Antique Handwritten Javanese Quran ( 18-19th century)

 

This is a beautifully written Quran manuscript originated from South East Asia. The centrepieces design is typical of Java island Indonesia. The cover is made of thin brownish leather and is glued on a hard board. The frontispieces & finishpieces are glued to the inner cover on both sides. first few pages on the beginning and ending of the Quran are missing. I acquired this manuscript from a friend in Indonesia last year.

Manuscript Specs Item : Antique Malay Javanese Quran
Manuscript Content : Quran
Dim : 14" x 8.5" x 2.5"
Date : 18-19th century
Copyist : anonymous
Origin : Java island  South East Asia
Calligraphy : Malay ?
Design : Written in Malay scripts in red & black
Purchased Price :US

Ancient Artifact Review 10 : Antique Malay Carved Wooden Doors ( 1911 CE)

 

These are 2 pairs of beautifully carved wooden doors. I purchased these doors from a friend in Kuala Lumpur.
However in this posting I posted only the first pair of the door. The other door will be posted on a separate entry.
 These doors were from a mansion in Balik Pulau. On one panel, there was an Arabic inscription of year 1331 H which is equivalent to 1911 CE. However my friend didnt purchase the panel since it was none of his interest at that time and even before selling these doors last July.
The first set of door has its each leaf dimension of 76 x 17.5 inches whereas the other set of 76 x 16.5 inches.

Ancient Artifact Review 9 : Antique Akkadian Clay Tablet ( 2350-2150BC)

This is a genuine ancient clay tablet with old Akkadian inscription from 2350-2150BC. I purchased this item from a reputed seller of an auction about 10 years ago.
Besides Egypt, Mesopotamia also adopted cuneiform writing in their literary system.
When I purchased this item, it was in a good condition. However due to the weather where this item was stored, some of the fragments were chipped off. I have lost the document in regards to the content of this inscription, however I still remember that it was regarding the prayer for constructing a building or so.

The front side is full of incused inscription in old akkadian language whereas the back is blank.
Dimension is 120mm x 60mmx30mm

Below is an excerpt I quoted from Wikipedia in regards to this clay tablet tradition :


"In the Ancient Near East, clay tablets (Akkadian ṭuppu(m) 𒁾^[1]) were used as a writing medium, especially for writing in cuneiform, throughout the Bronze Age and well into the Iron Age.
Cuneiform characters were imprinted on a wet clay tablet with a stylus often made of reed (reed pen). Once written upon, many tablets were dried in the sun or air, remaining fragile. Later, these unfired clay tablets could be soaked in water and recycled into new clean tablets. Other tablets, once written, were grilled in a kennal or fired in kilns (or inadvertently, when buildings were burnt down by accident or during conflict) making them hard and durable. Collections of these clay documents made up the very first archives. They were at the root of first libraries. Tens of thousands of written tablets, including many fragments, have been found in the Middle East.^[2][3]
In the Minoan/Mycenaean civilizations, writing has not been observed for any use other than accounting. Tablets serving as labels, with the impression of the side of a wicker basket on the back, and tablets showing yearly summaries, suggest a sophisticated accounting system. In this cultural region the tablets were never fired deliberately, as the clay was recycled on an annual basis. However, some of the tablets were "fired" as a result of uncontrolled fires in the buildings where they were stored. The rest are still tablets of unfired clay, and extremely fragile; some modern scholars are investigating the possibility of firing them now, as an aid to preservation."

Ancient Artifact Review 8 : Antique Aramaic Incantation Bowl

I purchased the incantation bowl pieces from EBAY few years ago. The reason I purchased these pieces because there are Aramaic inscription on them since I am very much fascinated with Semitic languages. This language is the language spoken by Prophet Jesus pbuh during his era.
These are 2 fragments of the Incantation bowl with readable Aramaic in many lines. Dimension approx. 97mm x 51mm & 28mm x 38mm

Ancient Manuscript Review 65 : Antique Sulawesi Handwritten Quran ( 18-19th century)

 

 

This is a beautifully written Quran manuscript originated from South East Asia. Specifically it could be from Sulawesi island judging from the design which is typical of its kind. Its believed to have been written in 18-19th century. This manuscript is written in Malay calligraphy. However few pages from the beginning and the ending of this manuscripts are missing. In the middle of the manuscript particularly the beginning of surah AL Kahf, the pages were illuminated with beautiful colors. Looking at this manuscript, I almost thought it was from Terengganu of origin. However Dr Annable Gallop advised me that this manuscript most probably from Sulawesi due to its design. The covers of this Quran were believed to be original but they were loose and were taped to the outer spine. The cover is made of thin brownish leather and is glued on a hard board. I acquired this manuscript from a friend in Indonesia last year.

Manuscript Specs Item : Antique Malay Sulawesi Quran
Manuscript Content : Quran
Dim : 14" x 8.5" x 2.5"
Date : 18-19th century
Copyist : anonymous
Origin : Sulawesi South East Asia
Calligraphy : Malay ?
Design : Written in Malay scripts in red & black
Purchased Price :US

Islamic Codicology Certificate

I attended an Intensive Islamic Codicology Course last week at Cambridge University. I am extremely happy with the course and the workshop. All lectures are very helpful in equipping me with basic yet necessary knowledge in handling ancient manuscripts. The main lecturer, Prof Francois Deroche is very experienced & knowledgable in ancient islamic manuscripts. He also has refreshing and dynamic views in analyzing and scrutining these antiquities. I am glad I went to this course and the long journey ( ABu Dhabi - Cambridge) is worth it.

 

TIMA Islamic Codicology Course at Cambridge University

I am looking forward to attending this course , Islamic Codicology, to be held at Cambridge University next Monday, 3 September. I have enrolled for this course since last year and had been looking forward to it since. This is the quickest and the fastest way for a naive manuscript collector like me to understand and know more about ancient islamic manuscripts.
      This is a 1 week course - lectures & hands-on - will be guided by prominent experts. Some might wonder what is codicology. Below is a definition from wikipedia :

"Codicology (from Latin cōdex, genitive cōdicis, "notebook, book"; and Greek -λογία, -logia) is the study of books as physical objects, especially manuscripts written on parchment (or paper) in codex form. It is often referred to as 'the archaeology of the book', concerning itself with the materials (parchment, sometimes referred to as membrane or vellum, paper, pigments, inks and so on), and techniques used to make books, including their binding."

Below link is the details of this course :

http://www.islamicmanuscript.org/training/2012CodicologyShortCourse.html


 

Ancient Coin Review 47 : Sultanah Taj Alam ( Aceh Sultanate 1641-1675 CE)

This is a gold coin from Sultanah Taj Alam Safiat AdDin Shah era. She is the first female to be throned in Aceh Sultanate. She was a widow of Sultan Iskandar Thani. She reigned Aceh from 1641 - 1675 CE.

Obv: Safiat Ad Din Berdaulat Shah
Rev: Paduka Sri Sultanah Taj Alam
Weight : 0.59 gm
Dim : 1641 - 1675 CE
Rarity :
Denom : Mas
Material : Gold
Reference : A 17a pg 177 ( Jaarboek Voor Munt-en Penningkunde)

Ancient Manuscript Review 64 : Antique Moroccon / Maghribi Quran ( 1270 AH)

This is an old handwritten Quran originally from Morocco dated 1270 AH which is equivalent to 1853 CE. .It is a complete Quran. It was written in a simple Maghribi calligraphy. This Quran has a colophone on the last leaf mentioning the copyist name of Sayed Bir  Muhammad Anzud. The cover was original and made of leather.

Manuscript Specs

Item : Antique Morocco Quran
Content : A complete Quran
Dim : 9" x 7" x 2"
Date : 1270 AH ( 1853 CE)
Copyist : Sayed Bir Muhammad Anzud
Origin : Morocco
Calligraphy : Maghribi
Design : 18 lines written in Maghribi script without border
Purchased Price :US

Ancient Coin Review 46 : Sultan Aladin Ibn Firman Shah ( Aceh Sultanate 1589 - 1604 CE)

This is a gold coin from Sultan Aladin Riayat Shah era. He was the aged grandson of Sultan Muzaffar Shah and the son of Al Malik Firman Shah. He killed the grandson of Sultan Aladin Mansur Shah, the son of SUltan Abdul Jalil Shah of Johore. This created a tension between Aceh & Johore.It's narrated by John Davis in his journal in 1599 CE that Sultan Aladin originally was a fisherman. He reigned Aceh from 1589 - 1604 CE.

Obv: As Sultan Al Adil
Rev: Aladin Ibn Firman Shah
Weight : 0.59 gm
Dim : 13mm
Date : 1589 - 1604 CE
Rarity :
Denom : Mas
Material : Gold
Reference : A 13b pg 170 ( Jaarboek Voor Munt-en Penningkunde)

Ancient Artifact Review 07: Antique Malacca Kendi / Kettle ( 14th century)

These are museum piece antiquity from Majapahit Era but found in Malacca ( Malaysia). They are clay kendi (kettle) . They are used to contain water normally a holy water for a ritual ceremony. Its diameter about 3 to 4" inches with height of 2 to 3" inches.
I would date these kendis sometime in 14th century. The reason because Malacca prior to 1409 CE was a Hindu state i.e one of Majapahit's vassal. However when the first Malacca ruler Parameswara married to a princess of Pasai sultan, he became Muslim and almost entire population in Malacca became Muslim as well. Hence the locals must have not continued using these kendis after 1409 CE as they are practically used for Hindu ceremony.

Ancient Artifact Review 06 : Antique British Iron Cannon ( 19th Century)

This is an old iron cannon recovered from Malacca Strait. It belonged to British army during the colonization era 19th century. It is made of iron and weighs about 500lb. It has 9" breech and 4.35" muzzle with a 2.5" bore. There is an excellent deep iton colored patina. Museum piece.

Ancient Artifact Review 05 : Antique Malay Jawi Plate (1819-1864 CE)

This is a priceless antique English plate decorated with Malay / Jawi motif & pantun (poems). This plate was manufactured by Williams Adams & Sons company sometime between 1819 CE to 1864 CE. This company was established in the early nineteenth century and great supplier of wares to India & the Far East. The trademark can be seen at the bottom of this plate, written W. Adams And Son under a medallion inside which is inscribed the name of the motif viz MALAY.
"The plate was printed using the process of transfer-printing, which was first used in England around 1750. The design is engraved on a metal plate, then impressed on a thin piece of paper, and transferred to the surface of the pottery or porcelain."

The pantun inscribed on the rims written :
" Suka makan di piring ini,
suatu di ambil dengan jankanya,
kalau suka membeli piring begini,
Anderson Tolson oleh yang punya"


Anderson Tolson is probably a retailing firm in Batavia.
The pantun inscribed 8 lines converging to the centre written :

1) Jikalau boleh kita ingatkan 2) Tertib dan sopan baik kerjakan 3) Jalan istiadat dipeliharakan 4) Supaya jangan membinasakan 5) Tertib suatu itu penghulu 6) Kerna pakaian orang dahulu 7) Barang pekerjaan benar terlalu 8) Masyhur namanya orang pun malu

There is an interesting research & article written by Henri Chambert-Loir from Almanac Indonesia & The Malay World in regards to the this type of plate. It was quite extensive research and dug further to its origin and its design. The handwriting print on this plate belongs to Khatib Muharis. Even though his name is not printed on this plate, there are others with the same handwriting bearing his name. Diameter of this plate is 27cm
Nonetheless the article doesnt have any reference to the 8 poem lines in my plate. Does it mean the plate is rare? If you find any similar plate with the same 8 poetic lines anywhere, please let me know. I would be interested where else has the same plate.

Also thanks to A.N for helping me out figuring out some indechiperable words on this plate.

Reference :
Eating the text : English plates decorated with Malay poems, by Henri Chambert-Loir ( published in Indonesia & The Malay World 1994)

Crescent Moon : Islamic Art & Civilisation South East Asia, pg 78

Ancient Artifact Review 04 : Antique Arabic Brass Key ( 1158 AH)

This is an antique giant brass key dated 1158 AH ( 1745 CE). There is also an arabic inscription of the owner as "Muhammad Bin Muhammad Halabi". Origin is Syria. Dimension is 24cm long & 9 cm width with weight of 340gram. This key probably was a house or a shop key.

Ancient Artifact Review 03 : Antique Tang Bronze Mirror ( 7-10th Century)

This is an antique bronze mirror from Tang Dynasty ( 618-906 CE). I acquired it from an antique shop in Vietnam during my work assignment there almost 10 years ago.

Diameter: 12cm (4 ¾ in).
Similar item with better condition was sold at USD3750 at Christie's in June 2011

References: (a) Masterpieces of Chinese Bronze Mirrors in the National Palace Museum Published by the National Palace Museum Taipei, Taiwan, (b) Later Chinese Bronzes by Rose Kerr, (c) Ancient Chinese bronzes by William Watson. (d) Circles of Reflection, The Carter Collection of Chinese Bronze Mirrors, (e) Bronze Mirrors From Ancient China Donald H .Graham Jr. Collection