Ancient Artifact Review 79 : Antique Malay Muslim Foldable Kukor Kelapa ( Coconut Grater) 20th Century

This is a very interesting coconut grater called kukor kelapa from Malaysia. It was used predominantly by the Muslim Malays in Malaysia to grate coconut flesh. The body of this Kukor was made of wood and its foldable.
This kukor is probably from 20th Century. 


Specification :

Item : A Coconut Grater ( Kukor Kelapa)
Dim : 450mm x 150mm
Material : Wood
Design : Foldable
Origin : Malaysia

Ancient Artifact Review 78 : Antique Muslim Malay Silver Threaded Coaster ( early 20th Century)

 This is a product of  Malay artwork called tekat. It is a gold & silver thread embroidery practiced by the Malay from Malaysia.
Tekat originally was a court art and gained popularity by the 15th Century. It was thought that this art originated from Ottoman Empire and brought into the royal court of the Malay Kingdom by the traders.
Compare with the Ottoman thread embroidery below :
Ottoman Embroidery Art

In this sample, the silver thread with red thread were stitched in a floral pattern over a piece of of a yellow velvet fabric. Motifs of foliage and floral were used as Islam prohibits using animal motifs. The bottom of this coaster was backed up with woven "mengkuang leaves" ( screw palm). Mengkuang is a large shrub of the genus, Pandanus which is found in the coastal regions of Southeast This sample is estimated from early 20th Century CE.

Similar tekat can be seen below :
Tampok Bantal Tekat Gold
Tampok Bantal Tekat Silver
Tampok Bantal Tekat Triangle
Tampok Bantal Tekat Rectangular

Specification

Description : Malay Coaster Tekat
DIM : 5 x 5 inches
Material : Silver / red Thread on yellow velvet fabric
Ref :  Islamic Civilization In The Malay World (pg 325)

Ancient Artifact Review 77 : Antique Ottoman Coffee Grinder (19th Century)

This is an old coffee hand grinder from Ottoman era. The body is made of brass and there are some stamps and mill mark on the body. I couldn't decipher the mill name. However a number 4 is very obvious.
The handle is stored inside upper compartment.
Bought from Istanbul and estimated from 19th Century.

Dim : 11inches in length
Date : 19th Century CE
Material : Brass
Origin : Turkey

Ancient Coin Review 109 : Sultanah Inayat Shah Zakiat Ad Din Shah ( Aceh Sultanate 1678-1688 CE)

This is a gold coin from Sultanah Inayat Shah Zakiat Ad Din Shah era. She is the third female to be throned in Aceh Sultanate and daughter of Sultan Muhammad Shah. She reigned Aceh from 1678 - 1688 CE.
In 1683 CE , she had the "honor" of receiving a delegation and gifts from the Sharif of Mecca which originally intended for Great Moghul Aurangzeb who refused the delegation.
Aurangzeb coin can be seen in below link :
Aurangzeb Coin

While I couldn't find any reference as why the Mughal Emperor refused the delegation, I found interesting impact of the delegation visit to Aceh from the book, Islam in Modern Asia written by I.K. Khan.l

Th original intent of this delegation was to visit Moghul Sultan Aurangzeb however he refused to entertain them.( If anyone knows the reason of this refusal please share with us!)
The delegation then stopped in Aceh and was well received by the Sultanah Zakiat Din and the people of Aceh. Letters and gifts were presented to the Sultanah. The delegation was asked to stay few days in Aceh while the Sultanah has ordered the preparation of gifts for them. One of the gifts prepared was a gold statue made from gold from the palace and the Bayt Al Rahman Mosque which were destroyed by fire during the reign of Sultanah Naqittat Din.
These gifts were brought back to Mecca and some of them were distributed to the poor population in the Haramayn.
This visit was a controversial one as the ruler of the Aceh was a woman whereas the Islamic law prohibit a woman to be a ruler. This visit has boosted the prestige of the Sultanah. While the Haramayn ulama were silent in this matter during Sultanah Zakiataddin reign, the people Aceh have also stop disputing the status of a woman ruler.
The silence was broken during the reign of Sultanah Kamalat Ad Din when the Chief Mufti of Mecca has issued a fatwa declaring the Islamic Kingdom cannot be ruled by a woman ruler. As a result, the Sultanah was deposed from the throne and replace with a male Sultan, Badr Alam.

Looking at the Arabic calligraphy used, its quite tricky as the calligraphy is compressed to fit on the coin face. However it has the resemblance to Thuluth & Sini. Or probably this is how Malay calligraphy was derived.

Obverse : فادك سر سلطانه عناية شاه    
                Paduka Sri Sultanah Inayah Shah
Reverse : زكية الدين بردولة شاه
                Zakiat Ad Din Berdaulat Shah

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.

See my other coin below :
Sultanah Inayat

Obv:  فادك سر سلطانه عناية شاه    
          Paduka Sri Sultanah Inayah Shah

Rev: زكية الدين بردولة شاه
          Zakiat Ad Din Berdaulat Shah
Weight : 0.60 gm
Dim : 14mm
Date : 1678 - 1688 CE
Rarity :
Denom : Mas
Material : Gold
Reference : A 19a type 4 pg 179 ( Jaarboek Voor Munt-en Penningkunde)

Ancient Manuscript Review 193 : Antique Syriac / Aramaic / Garshuni Christian Manuscript Fragments from 16-18th Century CE

These are some fragments from various topics of Christianity written in Syriac Serto Script. Some written in Arabic Language and some in Syriac's.
Similar fragments can be found in below link
Syriac Fragments

Codicology

Title Page : Nil

Content    :  Catholics content on Rome Church

Date         : 16-18th CE

Copyist    : Anonymous

Patron      : Nil

Origin      : Diyerbakir, Turkey

Place acquired : Istanbul

Illuminations : Nil

Calligraphy : Syriac Serto

Number of lines :  16-17 per page

Inks          : Main text in black with some headings in red

Punctuation: Diacritical marks in black

Frame       :  Nil

History of Manuscript : from a private library in Diyerbakir

Number of folios : 4 ff

Support of writing : yellowish laid paper

Gatherings : N/A

Catchwords : Nil

Dimensions : 16.5 cm x 11.0 cm

Binding   : Nil

Estimated Market Price :

Purchased Price : USD

Remarks :

Ancient Coin Review 108 : Bendahara Sewa Raja Wan Ahmad Quarter Tampang 1295 AH ( Sultanate Pahang)

This is a another rare tampang coin from Bendahara Sewa Raja Wan Ahmad . However in 1882 CE he was proclaimed as the first Sultan of Pahang claiming the title Sultan Wan Ahmad AL Muazzam Shah.He used to be Bendahara from 1863-1881AD.
This coin was struck in 1295 AH ( 1878 CE)
 

Pahang is one of the states in Malaysia. Historically it became part of Malacca Sultanate in 1470 CE till 1641 CE. It was later ruled by Johor Sultanate till 1853 CE then it became independent.

Below is the location of Pahang in relation to other states in Malaysia.

Similar Tampang can be found in below link

Pahang Tampang
Pahang Tampang
Pahang Tampang
Pahang Tampang

Obv : Floral Design
Rev: Malik Al Adil tarikh kepada bulan Rejab sanat 1295
Weight : 13 gm
Dim : 28 x 28 x 8mm
Date : 1295 AH ( 1878 CE)
Rarity : RR
Denom : 1/4 tampang = 1/100 Dollar           
Material : Tin
Reference : SS20  pg 143 ( The Encyclopedia of the Coins)
Purchase Price : RM 

Ancient Artifact Review 76 : Antique Aramaic Christianity Incantation Bowl ( 1-6 Century CE)

I purchased the incantation bowl pieces from EBAY few years ago. The reason I purchased this piece because there are Aramaic inscriptions on them since I am very much fascinated with Semitic languages. This language is the language spoken by Prophet Jesus pbuh during his era.
This piece most likely from 1-6 Century CE.
This is a fragment the Incantation bowl with readable Aramaic in many lines. Dimension approx. 94mm x 45mm

LCSS Training Programme on Ottoman and Archival Studies ( London, Birmingham & Oxford)

I attended a short Training Programme on Ottoman and Archival Studies last month at London, Birmingham and Oxford Universities. I am extremely happy with the course and the workshop. All lectures are very helpful in equipping me with basic knowledge on Ottoman manuscripts and archieves.
Eventhough my Ottoman manuscripts are just a few dozens from my entire collections, I took this course with the purpose to understand the method of recording and archiving Ottoman manuscripts. Most importantly, I was there to build a network with professionals, experts, academicians and institutions.
Some of the key lecturers that I met there were :
Dr Fred Anscombe, Head of Dept of History, Classics & Arche University of London
Dr Nikolaj Serikoff, Asian Collections Librarian, Wellcome Library
Dr. Juliette Desplat, Head Modern Overseas Records, The National Archieves
Ruth Selman, University of Roehampton
Karima Benaicha, Head of Library, Al Furqan Islamic Heritage Foundation
Celeste Gianni, Library Assistand, Al Furqan
Dr. Marios Hadjianastasis, Academic Practise Advisor, Birmingham University
Lydia Wright, Librarian, Oxford University
Alasdair Watson, Bahari Curator, Oxford University
Dr. Zeynep Yurekli-Gorkay, Assc Prof, Oxford University

The coordinator, Rosa Vercoe has successfully organized this training programme under LCSS, London Centre Social Studies. I am looking forward to attending any future courses which related to my collections.

Ancient Manuscript Review 192 : Antique Torah Judaism Book ( 1861 CE)

This is a lithographed Judaism book, Thora Tom. II. Printed in Hebrew language. I bought this book in Istanbul.This Torah was used by Jewish community in Turkey. Covers made of marble paper wrapped around hard boards though the spine is made of leather. This book is pocket size of 175mm x115mm.This book is dated 1861 CE and was printed in Vienna.
See my similar book in below link
Mini Thora Tom II


Codicology

Title Page : Thora Tom. II

Content    :  Old Testament

Date         : 1861 CE

Copyist    :

Patron      :

Origin      : Vienna

Place acquired :Vienna

Illuminations : Nil

Calligraphy : Hebrew script

Number of lines :26 lines per page

Inks          : Main text in black

Punctuation: Nil

Frame       :  Nil

History of Manuscript : Purchased from antique store in Istanbul

Number of folios : 216 ff

Support of writing : light yellowish European paper

Gatherings : N/A

Catchwords : nil

Dimensions : 175cm x 115 cm

Binding   : marble paper wrapped on hard board

Estimated Market Price :

Purchased Price : USD

Remarks :

Ancient Artifact Review 75 : Antique Turkish Shoe Shine Set late 20th Century

This is an old Shoe Shine Set from Turkey. There are 12 bottles in total of various sizes. The box set has a decorated brass layer on the front and the top whereas the inner body is made of zinc I believed. 2 small drawers are fitted at the back. A shoe holder is fitted at the top of this set.
All the bottles have a mark Altin Yunus at the bottom. Hence I believe this set was made in Altin Yunus Turkey.
Bought from Dubai and estimated from 20th Century.

Dim : 600mm in length and 220mm in height
Date : 20th Century CE
Material : Brass / Tin /Wood / Glass
Origin : Altin Yunus, Turkey

Ancient Coin Review 107 : Antique Silver Rupee of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan year 1051 AH ( 1641 CE)

This is a silver coin or denominated as Rupee from the time of Emperor Shah Jahan of Mughal Empire who reigned India from 1628 - 1658 CE. The coin dated 1051 AH.

Below is an excerpt from Wiki :


Mirza Shahabuddin Baig Muhammad Khan Shah Jahan (Urdu: شہاب الدین محمد شاہجہاں‎; b. 5 January 1592 – 31 January 1666) was the fifth Mughal Emperor of India from 1628 to 1658. Born Prince Khurram, he was the son of Emperor Jahangir (31 August 1569 – 7 November 1627) and his Hindu Rajput wife, Taj Bibi Bilqis Makani (13 May 1573 – 18 April 1619).
He was chosen as successor to the throne after the death of his father in 1627. He was considered one of the greatest Mughals of the Timur family. Like his grandfather, Akbar, he was eager to expand his vast empire.
While he was encamped in Baghdad, the Ottoman Sultan Murad IV is known to have met the Shah Jahan's ambassadors: Mir Zarif and Mir Baraka, who presented 1000 pieces of finely embroidered cloth and even armor. Murad IV presented them with the finest weapons, saddles and Kaftans and ordered his forces to accompany the Mughals to the port of Basra, where they set sail to Thatta and finally Surat.^{[citation needed]}
Shah Jahan had exchanged ambassadors and documents with the Murad IV, it was through these exchanges led by the Mughal ambassador Sayyid Muhiuddin and his counterpart the Ottoman ambassador Arsalan Agha, that Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan received Mimar Yusuf, Isa Muhammad Effendi and Ismail Effendi, two Turkish architects and students of the famous Koca Mimar Sinan Agha. Both of them later comprised among the Mughal team that would design and build the Taj MahalIn 1658, he fell ill and was confined by his son and successor Aurangzeb in Agra Fort until his death in 1666.
The period of his reign was considered the golden age of Mughal architecture. Shah Jahan erected many monuments, the best known of which is the Taj Mahal at Agra, built in 1632–1654 as a tomb for his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal (1 September 1593 – 17 June 1631).
 





See below my other Mughal coin from Emperor Aurangzeb
Mughal Aurangzeb Coin

Obverse : sahab-e-qiran sani badshah ghazi
Reverse : Contains kalima sahada in square around four khalifas name. Year 1051

Weight : 11.37gm
Diam : 22mm
Denom : Rupee
Metal : AR
Year : 1051 AH ( 1641 CE)
Mint : Allahabad
Rarity : Purchased Price : USD
Ref :

Ancient Artifact Review 74 : Antique Islam Malay Bugis Silver Amulet Disc / Chest Ornament / Kawari 19th Century CE

This is an amulet called Kawari originated from Sulawesi island of Bugis tribe.
This silver medallion is inscribed with the word " Allah" in arabic on both sides. It is worn over the neck of a boy or a girl and in pair with one is positioned on the chest whereas the matching pair at the back especially a toddler. Its widely used in the past by Muslim Bugis children. The usage of Kawari is believed to spiritually guard the child from evil spirits and harmful forces.
Their jewellery are mostly embellised with delicate and meandering scrolls depicting plants, flowers or stylized Arabic script executed in the filigree and granulation workmanship. Look at below picture of this little girl in traditional costume of Kawari, chest ornament and  Caping, modesty plate. 
The Caping can be seen below and details on my previous entry at Bugis Caping

The Kawari in my possession is made of silver and believed from 19th century CE.
Measured at 50mm in diameter.

Ancient Manuscript Review 191 : Antique Ottoman Era document / Letter ( 1248 AH)

This is a document written in old Turkish. The document was originally folded and sealed. I couldn't figure out what type of document this is. It could be a legal document or a personal ones. There is a signature and with a date of 1248 AH at the bottom of the letter. Its equivalent to 1832 CE.  The letter is written in Riqaah script in black.
I don't have much information of this kind of manuscript and its writing tradition. I need to do more research on this manuscript and will update this entry later. I welcome any feedback on this letter.

My other similar document is in below link
Ottoman Letter 01
Ottoman Letter 02
Ottoman Letter 03
Ottoman Letter 04

Manuscript Specs

Item : Ottoman document
Content :  Unknown
Dim : 220mm x 160mm
Date : 1248 AH
Copyist : indechiperable
Origin :  Turkey
Calligraphy : Riqaah
Design :
Purchased Price :US

Ancient Manuscript Review 190 : Antique Bible / Christianity written in Classical Greek on Papyrus from Egypt ( 4th-7th Century CE )

This is a papyrus fragment written in Classical Greek  language in black ink. Origin from Egypt and purchased from Antique Store in USA in 2016. I discovered this fragment among with my other Arabic papyrus fragments. Comparing this fragment with some papyrus from UPENN, they have similar fragments indicating in Classical Greek and topic on Christianity. This is the link, Greek Papyrus. which dating the fragment from 4th-7th Century CE.
I don't have much information of this kind of manuscript and its writing tradition. I need to do more research on this manuscript and will update this entry later. I welcome any feedback on this fragment.

Manuscript Specs

Item :Classical Greek Papyus Manuscript
Content :  Bible / Christianity
Dim : 120mm x 75mm
Date : 4-7th century CE
Copyist :  N/A
Origin :  Egypt
Calligraphy : Classical Greek
Design :
Purchased Price :US

Ancient Coin Review 106 : Antique Spanish Coin ( Pirate cob) from Ferdinand & Isabella reign ( 1474-1504 CE) : The Spanish Expulsion

This is a coin from the era of King Ferdinand & Isabella reigning Spain from 1469 - 1504 CE.
These are infamous royal couple who drove Muslim out of Spain in the 15th Century.

Below is an excerpt from Al-Islam on the fall of the last stronghold of Andalusia in Spain:
 

1491 is the date for the Castilian and Aragonese seizure of Granada, on the 2nd of January, ten months before Christopher Columbus "discovered" America (or was it the Bahamas, and the Caribbean coast) certainly not the United States as we know them today). Much water has flowed under our bridges since then and into the broad Atlantic that Columbus and his three ships crossed that same year.
The city and kingdom of Granada in south-eastern Spain represented Islam's last stronghold on the Iberian peninsula. Washington Irving (no kin of mine, but an excellent writer) during his service of the United States legation in Madrid, interested himself in this period of Spanish history, and rescued the Alhambra from the horde of gypsies he found encamped there. Then in Lindaraja, the beautiful two‑windowed room overlooking the courtyard and city, he wrote his Tales from the Alhambra and went on to chronicle that fascinating period in Spanish history. He also wrote an excellent biography or Sirah of the Prophet that we should rescue today from the strange spellings of that early age of Orientalism.
The Treaty of Granada, which had been drawn up in the previous year, 1491, between representatives of the crowns of Castile, Aragon and Granada, conceded this last city and its kingdom to Castile. In this treaty, the Granadines were guaranteed their religious liberty. The Philadelphia Quaker Henry Lea has written on the subsequent history when that solemn treaty was broken by a Catholic churchman, Cardinal Francisco Xhnenez de Cisneros.
At the end of the 15th century, the five kingdoms of the Iberian peninsula, or what we now call Spain and Portugal, were: Castile, Aragon, Granada, Navarre and Portugal. Aragon actually had three capital cities, two of which, Valencia, and Zaragoza, were known for their active Muslim citizenry. Barcelona in Catalonia, was not so famous, although it is named after Hannibal's uncle Hamilcar Barca and his family, another Semitic influence that left this place name on the Peninsula. Navarre, south of the Pyrenees, was taken by Ferdinand of Aragon in 1512.
1610 and not 1492 should be our cut‑off date for Muslim power in Spain, even though that last century and a quarter saw Islam in clear decline, fighting a losing, rearguard action. We need rather to follow the fate of the remaining Spanish Muslims, not only in the defeated king­dom of Granada, but also in Castile, Aragon and Valencia, where talented and industrious Mudejar artisans were active.

Below is an excerpt from Forum Ancient Coin about these king and Queen
  
Ferdinand and Isabella
Ferdinand V, called The Catholic (1452-1516), King of Castile (1474-1504); as Ferdinand II he was also King of Sicily (1468-1516) and of Aragón (1479-1516); as Ferdinand III, King of Naples (1504-1516). He was the son of King John II of Aragón.

Isabella I (1451-1504), Queen of Castile, called la Católica ("the Catholic"). She was the daughter of John II of Castile and León by his second wife, Isabella of Portugal.

The union of the Spanish kingdoms of Aragón and Castile was effected in 1469 by Ferdinand's marriage to his cousin Isabella I, Queen of Castile. Ferdinand had hoped by this alliance to obtain the Castilian crown for himself, but his high-spirited and politically astute wife firmly retained sovereign authority in her own realm.

Ferdinand and Isabella took steps to curb the power of the nobles, organising the Santa Hermandad, or Holy Brotherhood, a kind of national military police. Insistence on religious conformity was one of their basic policies. In 1478 a bull issued by Pope Sixtus IV empowered the king and queen to appoint three inquisitors to deal with heretics and other offenders against the church; this marked the beginning of the Spanish Inquisition.

The year 1492 opened with the conquest of Granada, which marked the victorious conclusion of the long struggle against the Moors. In August Christopher Columbus, sponsored by Ferdinand and Isabella, set sail from the small Spanish seaport of Palos on his epoch-making voyage to America, which was the first step in the creation of the Spanish overseas colonial empire. In 1493, by the terms of a treaty between Spain and France, Ferdinand recovered from King Charles VIII of France the ancient province of Roussillon (now forming the French department of the Pyrénées-Orientales), which Ferdinand's father had mortgaged to King Louis XI of France.

Because his daughter Joanna the Mad became insane after the death of Isabella in 1504, Ferdinand assumed the regency of Castile in 1506. He joined the League of Cambrai against the republic of Venice in 1508, and conquered Oran and Tripoli on the North African coast in 1509. He annexed the kingdom of Navarre in 1512, thereby extending the borders of Spain from the Pyrenees to the Rock of Gibraltar. Ferdinand was in many ways a competent ruler. He was succeeded by his grandson Charles (Holy Roman Emperor Charles V). 

My other coin is in below link
Pirate Cob
 
Coin Spec :

Obverse : "I" monogram " REX ET REGINA CASTILE"
Reverse : "F" monogram " FERDINANDVS ET HGL ISABELLA"
Weight : 0.84gm
Diam : 18mm
Denom : Billon Blanc
Metal : AE
Year : 1474 - 1504 CE
Mint : Granada
Rarity :
Purchased Price : USD
Ref : 

Ancient Manuscript Review 189 : Antique Ottoman Era document / Letter ( 18-19th century)

 

 This is a document written in old Turkish. The document was originally folded and sealed. I couldn't figure out what type of document this is. It could be a legal document or a personal ones. It could be from 18-19th century based on similar dated documents that came with it.  It is written in Riqaah script in black.
I don't have much information of this kind of manuscript and its writing tradition. I need to do more research on this manuscript and will update this entry later. I welcome any feedback on this letter.

My other similar document is in below link
Ottoman Letter 01
Ottoman Letter 02
Ottoman Letter 03

Manuscript Specs

Item : Ottoman document
Content :  Unknown
Dim : 220mm x 160mm
Date : 18-19th century
Copyist : indechiperable
Origin :  Turkey
Calligraphy : Riqaah
Design :
Purchased Price :US

Ancient Artifact Review 73 : Antique Muslim Malay Gold Threaded Pillow Ends / Tekat / Tampok Bantal ( early 20th Century)

 This is a product of  Malay artwork called tekat. It is a gold & silver thread embroidery practiced by the Malay from Malaysia.  These beautiful pieces are sewn onto both ends of a bolster ( bantal peluk) as part of  the bridal decorations which is typical in Malay weddings. Traditionally, to have the entire bridal daise and chamber decoration done in tekat is almost a must. These days, one doesn't have to worry about creating a tekat arrangement for the wedding. In Malay wedding, its customary to use the service of "Mak Andam" or a wedding planner. They have almost complete bridal decorations arrangement and lend them out for a very reasonable price.
Tekat originally was a court art and gained popularity by the 15th Century. It was thought that this art originated from Ottoman Empire and brought into the royal court of the Malay Kingdom by the traders.
Compare with the Ottoman thread embroidery below :
Ottoman Embroidery Art

 In this sample, the gold/silver thread was stitched in a patterned way over a piece of of a velvet fabric. Motifs of foliage and floral were used as Islam prohibits using animal motifs. I believed these samples from early 20th Century CE.

Similar tekat can be seen below :
Tampok Bantal Tekat Gold
Tampok Bantak Tekat Silver
Tampok Bantak Tekat Triangle

As we can see from my other entries , some bolsters' ends are sewn with decorated metal plates. Below are the links to the plates :

Malay Plate 01
Malay Plate 02

Compare this plate with Peranakan plates in below link
Peranakan Tampok Bantal

Specification :
Description : Malay bolster Tekat
DIM : 6x3 inches
Material : Gold/Silver Thread on multicolored velvet fabric
Ref :  Islamic Civilization In The Malay World (pg 325)

Ancient Manuscript Review 188 : Antique Syriac Christianity Manuscript ( 16th Century CE)

 

This is a very rare Syriac manuscript acquired from Turkey. It is written in Syriac Serto script.
I could not figure out the content but most likely subject on Christianity Theology and Bible. This manuscript I believed written in Classical Syriac similar to the fragment in below link
Manuscript in Classical Syriac

Codicology

Title Page : Unknown

Content    :  Unknown

Date         : 16th Century

Copyist    : Anonymous

Patron      : Nil

Origin      : Diyerbakir, Turkey

Place acquired : Istanbul

Illuminations : Nil

Calligraphy : Syriac Serto

Number of lines :16 lines per page

Inks          : Main text in black with some headings in red

Punctuation: Diacritical marks in black

Frame       :  Nil

History of Manuscript : from a private library in Diyerbakir

Number of folios :  16 ff

Support of writing : yellowish laid paper

Gatherings : N/A

Catchwords :bottom left on recto page

Dimensions : 17.0 cm x 11.5 cm

Binding   : Loose fragment with loose black cover

Estimated Market Price :

Purchased Price : USD

Remarks :

Ancient Coin Review 105 : Bendahara Sewa Raja Wan Ahmad Quarter Tampang 1295 AH ( Sultanate Pahang)

This is a another rare tampang coin from Bendahara Sewa Raja Wan Ahmad . However in 1882 CE he was proclaimed as the first Sultan of Pahang claiming the title Sultan Wan Ahmad AL Muazzam Shah.He used to be Bendahara from 1863-1881AD.
This coin was struck in 1295 AH ( 1878 CE)
 

Pahang is one of the states in Malaysia. Historically it became part of Malacca Sultanate in 1470 CE till 1641 CE. It was later ruled by Johor Sultanate till 1853 CE then it became independent.

Below is the location of Pahang in relation to other states in Malaysia.

Similar Tampang can be found in below link

Pahang Tampang
Pahang Tampang
Pahang Tampang

Obv : Floral Design
Rev: Malik Al Adil tarikh kepada bulan Rejab sanat 1295
Weight : 13 gm
Dim : 28 x 28 x 8mm
Date : 1295 AH ( 1878 CE)
Rarity : RR
Denom : 1/4 tampang = 1/100 Dollar           
Material : Tin
Reference : SS20  pg 143 ( The Encyclopedia of the Coins)
Purchase Price : RM 

Ancient Artifact Review 72 : Antique Jade /Silver Afghan Persian Multicontainer ( 19th -20th Century)

 

This is an old Persian multicontainer from Afghanistan. I couldn't figure out the purpose of this container. The body is made of green jade and reinforced with silver frame and stand. Could this be  some sort of candle holder or traditional lamp?
Bought this pot from Abu Dhabi and estimated from 19th-20th Century.

Dim : 140mm in diamter and 160mm in height
Date : 19th-20th Century CE
Material : Greem jade and silver
Origin : Afghanistan