Ancient Manuscript Review 138 : Antique African Quran 18th Century CE

I acquired this illuminated Quran from Istanbul in 2014. When I first looked at this manuscript, I thought it was a Chinese manuscript due to strong and bold certain characters especially  ر &  ى

 with elongated tails. The bright handpainted floral motive also a typical Chinese manuscript characteristic.

However the more I looked at it, I realized it is not Chinese's. The are not elongated like a sword like a typical Sini khat. The way it was binded with the use of cloth to attach the bind is typical of African. A lot of African Quran using floral motive in their Quran illumination.

I am comparing this Quran with my Quran from Somalia & Etiopia. The Somalia Quran tends to highlight the word Allah in red whereas this Quran khat more resemblance to the Quran from Etiopia.

I believe this Quran originated from East Africa and it could be Etiopia. This manuscript also has a very strong odor of leather similar to my other African manuscripts. If you have a similar Quran like mine and know the origin please feel free to let me know.

 See below my Quran from Somalia & Etiopia
Somali Quran
30 volumes Etiopian Quran

Etiopian Quran Comparison

Manuscript Specs

Item : Antique Africa Quran segment 

Manuscript Content : Quran
Dim : 23 cm x 17 cm x 2 cm
Date : 18-19th century
Copyist : 

Origin : Possible Africa

Calligraphy : Sudani??
Design : Written in Sudani scripts in black
Purchased Price :US

Ancient Artifact Review 26 : Antique Quran / Talisman Silver Case from Iran / Afghanistan ( 19th Century CE)

This is a Quran or Talisman silver case from Iran-Qajar- Afghsanistan . The Quran or the Talismanic manuscript must be small enough and in octoganal shape in order to fit in this box. The lid is engraved with the word Bismillah hiRahman nirRahim.  See below some miniature Qurans
Ottoman Sancak
Mini Quran

Dim : 55mm x 53cm
Date : 19th Century CE
Material : Silver
Origin : Iran / Afghanistan

Ancient Coin Review 64 : Patani-Kelantan Sultanate ( 16-18th Century)

This is kijang gold kupang from kelantan-Patani circa 16th-18th century
Obv : Kijang deer facing left with tail pointing up . A band around the body. A crescent moon and sun above
rev: Al Adil
wt : 0.63gm
dim : 10.5mm
Ref Saran's : RR (SS57)

Ancient Manuscript Review 137 : Antique Etiopia Quran Box Set ( 18th Century CE)

 

This a wooden box which contains supposedly 30 manuscripts ( 30 juzs) for the complete Quran. The wood is thick and hard however the lid is a replacement.

 

This is a very rare acquisition because we dont see many Etiopian Quran especially with its box in the market or in international hands. 

 

Check my other Etiopian Quran manuscripts in box below :

 Antique Etiopia Quran Box Set 

Manuscript Specs

Item : Antique Etiopia Quran Box
Box Content : 29 manuscripts of Quran
Dim : 49 cm x 22 cm x 16 cm
Date : 18-19th century
Origin : Etiopia
Purchased Price :US

Ancient Manuscript Review 136 : Antique Ottoman Register ( 1061 AH / 1651 CE)

This is a register book from an Ottoman era.Written neatly in Riqa and the register was binded in an oblong format ( safinah). The covers are made of hard boards and covered with marble papers. The Ottoman used marbled papers as manuscript covers starting from 17th century. Due to costly leather, marbled papers as substitute for manuscript covers were well received.
Marbling is done by transferring colours floating on the surface of a gum solution onto a paper. This method originated from Iran from 15th Century CE.
I dont have any knowledge on the content of this register as it was written in Turkish. This register is not officially dated but from the record written on the first few pages, there are some recorded dates as early as 1061 AH ( 1651 CE) till 1068 AH ( 1659 CE).

Codicology
 

Title Page :Unknown

Content    :  A register

Date         :  7 Rajab 1061 AH ( 1651 CE)

Copyist    : Anonymous

Patron      : Nil

Origin      : Istanbul, Turkey

Place acquired : Istanbul

Illuminations : Nil

Calligraphy : Riqa

Number of lines :

Inks          : Main text in black

Punctuation: Diacritical marks in black

Frame       :  Nil

History of Manuscript :

Number of folios : 12 ff

Support of writing : yellowish oriental paper

Gatherings : N/A

Catchwords :nil

Dimensions : 23.5 cm x 10.0 cm

Binding   : marble paper

Estimated Market Price :

Purchased Price : USD

Remarks :

Ancient Artifact Review 25 : Antique Malay Modesty Disc / Pubic Cover / Caping 19th Century CE

This is a modesty disc or known as Caping or Chaping in Malaysia. It is worn to cover a boy or a girl private part especially a toddler.Its widely used in the past by children in the Northern & Eastern coast of Malaysia. Caping is made either from gold, silver or brass depending on the children family social status. The usage of caping is believed to spiritually guard the child from evil spirits and harmful forces.

This modesty disc/plate is believed originated from Hindu influence from India. Sri Vijaya & Majapahit are ancient Hindu empires controlling South East Asia from 7th  -14th Century CE.
However there is a record that this pubic cover is also widely used in other part of the world and by a female adult. In South America it is called "Tanga", made of ceramic. The cover used by the aboriginal in Australiamade of pearlshell and is called riji, jakuli or longkalongka.


The caping in my possession is made of brass and believed from 19th century CE.
Measured at 3in x 2 in

"Capings are heart-shaped plates that were used by Malays as a substitute for clothing and were worn suspended by chains mostly by infants girls and sometimes by small boys. They tended to be made from different materials according to the ranks of the wearers. Gold was reserved for the nobility, silver for dignitaries, and plates made of brass, copper or coconut shell for commoners. Babies tended to wear capings once they could stand, something that was often accompanied by a simple ceremony." 
( Ref: Kassim Haji Ali, M., Caping: Modesty Disc, Museum Association of Malaysia, 1983.)

Ancient Manuscript Review 135 : Antique Syriac / Aramaic / Garshuni Christian Manuscript 18th Century CE

TBA

Ancient Artifact Review 124 : Antique Ottoman Embroided Tombak dated 1168 AH ( 1754 CE)

This is a big silk cloth beautifully embroided in Arabic calligraphy.I will translate the meaning of this wording later. There was a date 1168 AH embroided as well below the wordings. Floral border decorating this tombak. Bought in Istanbul.

Dim : 50in x 30in
Date : 1168 AH ( 1754 CE)
Material : Silk
Origin : Turkey

Ancient Artifact Review 23 : Antique Ottoman Pen Case ( Divit) dated 1950 CE

This is an old Ottoman Pen case ( Divit) which measures  8" long with an inkwell at one end. It is beautifully decorated with floral motives. Made of brass and dated 1950 CE. A tugra was also seen on one end.

Compare with another bigger Ottoman Divit & a pen case from Iran Qajaf era
Giant Ottoman Divit
Qajar Qalamdan


Dim : 8in
Date : 1950 CE
Material : Brass
Origin : Turkey

Ancient Manuscript Review 134 : Antique Ottoman Prayer Manuscript ( 18th Century)

This is a small 18th Century CE Ottoman prayer manuscript consists of selective Quranic chapters, talismanic verses and some beautifully calligraphed. Borders gilded in gold. Bought from Istanbul.

Codicology

Title Page : Nil

Content    : Prayers

Date         : 18th Century CE

Copyist    : Anonymous

Patron      : Nil

Origin      : Turkey

Place acquired : Istanbul

Illuminations :

Calligraphy :Naskh & Thuluth scripts

Number of lines : varies

Inks          : Main text in black. Some key words in red.

Punctuation: Diacritical marks in black

Frame       :  Gold frame

History of Manuscript :

Number of folios : 50 ff

Support of writing : polished paper

Gatherings : N/A

Catchwords :Nil

Dimensions : 13.0 cm x 9.5 cm

Binding   :Brown leather covers

Estimated Market Price :

Purchased Price : USD

Remarks :

Ancient Manuscript Review 133 : Antique Etiopian Ge'ez Coptic Gospel ( 20th century)

 This is my another Coptic Bible written on vellum in Ge'ez language. I really dont know how to read this script. But the seller who is coptic herself told me that this is a gospel written in Ge'ez.
There are 3 pages with iconic drawings. On the last page, there is a thumb print I believe of the copyist.
Click these links to see my other Coptic Bibles

Coptic Gospel 1
Coptic Gospel 2
Coptic Gospel 3

Codicology

Title Page : Nil

Content    : Coptic Gospel

Date         : 20th Century CE

Copyist    : Anonymous

Patron      : Nil

Origin      : Etiopia

Place acquired : Etiopia

Illuminations :3 pages

Calligraphy :Ge'ez script

Number of lines : 23 lines per page

Inks          : Main text in black. Some key words in red.

Punctuation: Diacritical marks in black

Frame       :  Nil

History of Manuscript : Purchased from a contact in Etiopia

Number of folios : 150 ff

Support of writing : light yellowish vellum

Gatherings : N/A

Catchwords :Nil

Dimensions : 13.0 cm x 9.5 cm

Binding   :Maroon leather covers

Estimated Market Price :

Purchased Price : USD

Remarks :

Ancient Artifact Review 22 : Antique Ottoman Pen Case ( Divit) dated 1121 AH

 This is an old Ottoman Pen case ( Divit) which measures  12" long with an inkwell at one end. It is beautifully decorated with floral motives. Made of brass and dated 1121 AH ( 1709 CE).

Compare with pen case from Iran Qajaf era
Qajar Qalamdan


Dim : 12in
Date : 1121 AH ( 1709 CE)
Material : Brass
Origin : Turkey

Rebinding Kitab Al Azkar Imam Nawawi

A while ago I posted a very old manuscript on Al Azkar Imam Nawawi. It is dated 667AH however the manuscript never been bounded. Its a loose manuscript wrapped with a leather cover. See below link :
Al Azkar Imam Nawawi

During my trip to Istanbul early this year, I brought with me this manuscript and sent to a binding company for a repair. I have to pay about USD200 but Masyallah the result was fantastic!! All loose pages were binded and leather cover is beautifully embossed.
See below photos after the repair.

Old leather wrapping

New cover

New embossed leather cover

Before : loose pages

After : bounded pages

After : Bounded

Ancient Artifact Review 21 : Antique Ottoman Talismanic Shirt / Jama / Tilsimli Gomlek ( 19-20th CE)

This is a Talismanic shirt acquired from Turkey estimated from 19-20th century. Entire shirt was written in Quranic prayers in different style and calligraphy. Beautifully decorated. A piece of spiritual art.
Length from top to bottom = 65cm
Length from sleeve to sleeve = 80cm

Here's an excerpt from the web about Talismanic Item

"A talisman is any object that is imbued with protective powers, and all cultures have manifestations of such objects. In the world of Islam, they bear Qur’anic inscriptions, astrological signs, and religious narratives. Many Muslims believe that an object that is inscribed with the word God (Allah) will protect the person who reads, touches, or sees it and that the word of God has the power to ward off evil. The surface of a talismanic object can be covered with prayers, signs, numbers, and decorative motifs, and the object is carried in a pocket, or rolled and placed in an amulet case; some talismans are worn as clothing.

Talismans that contain inscriptions with the names of prophets and religious heroes have the power to protect an individual from hardship and danger by acting as a conduit between the two.

The most efficacious talismans are those that are inscribed with prayers that evoke the name of God and the Prophet Muhammad and his companions. The ninety-nine names of God, verses from the Qur’an, and sayings of the Prophet Muhammad (hadith), for example, are appropriated and regenerated into texts that are meant to be good omens. Talismans that contain inscriptions with the names of prophets and religious figures have the power to protect an individual from hardship and danger by acting as conduits between these holy figures and anyone carrying the talisman. This is also true of devotional manuals by religious leaders (shaikhs) with passages stating that whoever reads them will be protected from demons and supernatural beings (jinn)  The written story about a prophet can be protective as well, with pictorial representations of that prophet and of the omens associated with him.
Talismans not only shield but guide their wearers; they are objects that reflect occult practices. Amulet cases (15.95.137), mirrors (1978.348.2), boxes,weapons, talismanic shirts or banners are capable of shielding a person or group of people from the forces of evil. When a person is confronted with an ethical dilemma, all he needs to do is consult the Qur’an or one of these objects for guidance." ( http://islamic-arts.org/2011/amulets-and-talismans-from-the-islamic-world)