Rebinding old manuscript

I had recently posted a blog about my Kashmiri Quran which has beautiful lacquer covers but was poorly binded at the time of purchase. The covers edge was chipped off and lack of spine. See below link :
Kashmiri Quran

 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 USD500 but Masyallah the result was fantastic!!
See below photos after the repair. My friend who owns a manuscript bazaar in Istanbul was envious to see this manuscript and had offered to buy this Quran. He said this type of manuscript can be easily picked up at USD8000-USD10,000 in Istanbul. Whatever the offer is, I am happy to keep this Quran close to me.

 

Ramadhan Kareem

I wish all the muslims Happy Ramadhan. I hope this Ramadhan will bring blessings & peace to us and the rest of the world.
I have been quiet for the past few months due to busi-ness. During this period I have acquired some interesting manuscripts & artifacts. I got some more African manuscripts which I will upload later in this blog. I managed to acquire a beautiful Quranic vellum written in Kufic. It costed me a fortune but my satisfaction in indescribable. But the most interesting of all is that I acquired some manuscripts written in Syriac Gershoni on Christianity. I will elaborate more on this on my next blog.

Ancient Manuscript Review 109 : Antique Mamluk Qur'an folio ( 12th century)

This is a folio from a Quran. I acquired this leaf from a friend in Istanbul recently. He claimed this is from Mamluk.
 From the design especially on the roundel, it undoubtedly of Mamluk. However I am puzzled on the script used thoughout text block. As far as I know Muhaqqaq was used during the time of Mamluk. At first I could not figure out the script in this folio. The title was written in Muhaqqaq or Thuluth all right. However the rest of the script was so compact and letters are so close to each other. Could this possibly a smaller version of Muhaqqaq which is Reyhani and written in a compact way?
I did some research and comparisons and I found out that similar script was used in Mushaf of Mamluk displayed in the book, The Art of Calligraphy on plate 34. The script is called compact rayhan. In Nassar Mansour book titled Sacred Script Muhaqqaq in Islamic Calligraphy, there is also a similar calligraphy on page 161 which he called this script Rayhan which is a smaller version of Muhaqqaq.
From the book " The 1400th Anniversary of the Quran", the Quran leaves depicted were quite similar in the script execution i.e Rayhan script.
However from "Splendours of Quran Calligraphy & Illuminations" on 11th century Al Bawwab's Quran, plate 27, the script is quite similar to my leaf but Martin Lings labelled it as Naskh. Nassar argued that this script in fact was Rayhan and he detailed out the reasons in his book as mentioned above from page 60-72.

Codicology

Title Page :

Content    : Surah Taghabun from Al Quran

Date         :12-14th century

Copyist    : Anonymous

Patron      : n/a

Origin      : Iraq/Iran

Place acquired : Istanbul

Illuminations : Nil

Calligraphy : Main text in compact Rayhan script. Titles in gold in Thuluth

Number of lines :18 lines per page

Inks          : Black with subtitles in gold

Punctuation: gold floral disc with multi color dots around it.

Frame       : Double red line frame

History of Manuscript : Acquired from a friend who has a manuscript bazaar in Istanbul. He has a few folios from the same Quran. But I only bought a folio from him.

Number of folios : 1 f

Support of writing : Brownish oriental paper

Gatherings : N/A

Catchwords :Nil

Dimensions : 23.5 cm x 16.5 cm

Binding   : Nil

Estimated Market Price :

Purchased Price : USD

Remarks : The calligraphy in this manuscript is quite compact compared to typical Mamluk Muhaqqaq Quran. I have a quran written in Muhaqqaq and notice the difference.

Muhaqqaq Quran

Ancient Manuscript Review 108 : Antique Etiopia Illuminated Handwritten Quran Koran 1240 AH

 

This is the first dated Etiopia Quran I ever acquired. It came from the city of Harrar. This complete Quran was copied by Sadik Bin Haj Ahmadi Bin Muhammad Al Amin Bin Ahmad Malik Bin Sulaiman in the month of Rajab 1240 AH ( 1825 CE)

The first 2 pages were decorated with typical Etiopia motive with water color. 

Another interesting feature about this Quran is that it is not binded. It loose pages were wrapped by brown leather cover with a flap.  Compare this Quran with my Sub Saharan Quran with loose pages :

Sub Saharan Quran

This is a very rare acquisition because we dont see many Etiopian Quran in the market or in international hands. 
A partial Quran was sold at Christie's for more than USD5000 ( sale 5526, Lot 367)
 Etiopia Quran at Christie's
I am blessed to have acquired this beautiful manuscript.
Look my other Etiopian Qurans as below links:

Beautiful Etiopia Quran
30 volumes Etiopian Quran

Etiopian Quran Comparison
Etiopia Minhajul Muslimin

Codicology

Title Page : Nil

Content    :A Complete Quran

Date         : 1240 AH ( 1825 CE)

Copyist    : Sadik Bin Haj Ahmadi Bin Muhammad Al Amin Bin Ahmad Malik Bin Sulaiman

Patron      : Nil

Origin      : Harrar Etiopia

Place acquired : Etiopia

Illuminations : First 2 pages with colorful illuminations. A colopon on last page

Calligraphy : Naskh

Number of lines :15

Inks          : Main text in black with diacritical marks in red

Punctuation: yellow circle to separate between verses.

Frame       :  Nil

History of Manuscript :

Number of folios : 321 ff

Support of writing : Western paper

Gatherings :Nil.Loose leaves

Catchwords :first word on subsequent page in bottom left of recto

Dimensions : 21.0 cm x 17.0 cm

Binding   :Brown leather with flap

Estimated Market Price :

Purchased Price : USD

Remarks : The first dated Etiopia Quran in my collection.

Ancient Coin Review 62 : Sultan Aladin Ahmad Johan ( Aceh Sultanate 1727 - 1735 CE)

This is a gold coin from Sultan Aladin Ahmad Shah era. He was of Bugis origin and reigned Aceh from 1727 - 1735 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: Sri Sultan Aladin
Rev: Ahmad Shah Djohan Berdaulat
Weight : 0.56 gm
Dim : 13mm
Date : 1727 - 1735 CE
Rarity :
Denom : Mas
Material : Gold
Reference : A 26a pg 181 ( Jaarboek Voor Munt-en Penningkunde)

Ancient Manuscript Review 107 : Antique Ottoman Sufi Manuscript ( 1255 AH)

This is an Ottoman Sufi manuscript written old Turkish language in Nastaliq script on oriental paper. The title page is plainly decorated with red ink whereas the main text in black. Main titles & quotations as well as diacritical marks in red. Written in 1255 AH ( 1839 CE) by AsSaid Muhammad Al Wibi. The binding of this manuscript is beautifully lacquered with flowery designs.

I acquired this manuscript from Istanbul in 2013 from a dear friend. The main reason why I am attracted to this manuscript is because of its beautiful lacquer covers. The design is a typical Ottoman design. Compare these Ottoman lacquer bindings with my other lacquered bindings as below :
Indian Kashmiri Lacquer Binding
Persian Lacquer Panel

Codicology

Title Page : f2r ( I couldn't figure out the title of this manusript)

Content    : Islamic Sufism

Date         : 1255 AH ( 1839 CE)

Copyist    : AsSaid Muhammad Al Wibi

Patron      : Nil

Origin      : Turkey

Place acquired : Istanbul

Illuminations : Nil

Calligraphy :Nastaliq

Number of lines :15 line per page

Inks          : Main text in black with titles, quotations & diacritical marks in red

Punctuation:

Frame       :  double red lines

History of Manuscript :

Number of folios :36ff

Support of writing : Light yellowish oriental paper

Gatherings : 3Quinon + 6ff

Catchwords : first word of subsequent verso page on lower left of preceeding recto page in red

Dimensions : 15.0 cm x 10.0 cm

Binding   :Dark Brownish leather cover with lacquered flowery design

Estimated Market Price :

Purchased Price : USD

Remarks :

Ancient Manuscript Review 106 : Antique Kufic Qur'an on Vellum / Parchment ( 9th CE)

 

This is a vellum with both sides written Quranic verses in Kufic script. Acquired from an acquaintance in Paris. The vellum originally belonged to a Professor of Islamic Art. I couldn't verify the exact date of this vellum however based on the script (Kufic), I would estimate it around 9th -10th century CE. The leaf was in 3 fragments.

Codicology

Title Page : Nil

Content    : Quranic Verses

Date         : 9th-10th Century CE

Copyist    : Anonymous

Patron      : Nil

Origin      : Near East or North Africa

Place acquired : Paris

Illuminations : Nil

Calligraphy :Kufi

Number of lines :

Inks          : Main text in black

Punctuation: Diacritical marks in red.

Frame       :  Nil

History of Manuscript : Originally belonged to a Professor of Islamic Art in Paris. His family sold some of these vellums to a friend. I acquired this vellum from him in 2013.

Number of folios : 1 f

Support of writing : light brownish vellum

Gatherings : N/A

Catchwords :Nil

Dimensions : 22.0 cm x 18.0 cm

Binding   : Nil

Estimated Market Price :

Purchased Price : USD

Remarks : 

Ancient Manuscript Review 105 : Antique Etiopia Quran ( 18th Century CE)

 

 

This is truly a beautiful handwritten Quran originated from Etiopia. Its believed to have been written in 18-19th century. This manuscript is written in Naskh type calligraphy in black ink on western paper 15 lines to a page. Brown leather binding with a flap. 

The manuscript which contains the opening Surah Al Fatihah has the first 4 pages beautifully decorated. This is only half of Quran.

No date but it is estimated written in 18-19th century. There are about 22 pages with beautiful ornaments in margins.

This is a very rare acquisition because we dont see many Etiopian Quran in the market or in international hands. I am blessed to have acquired this beautiful manuscript.
Look my other Etiopian Qurans as below links:

30 volumes Etiopian Quran

Etiopian Quran Comparison
Etiopia Minhajul Muslimin

Codicology

Title Page : Nil

Content    :First half of Quran

Date         : 18th Century CE

Copyist    : Anonymous

Patron      : Nil

Origin      : Harra Etiopia

Place acquired : Etiopia

Illuminations : First 4 pages with colorful illuminations. 22 pages with ornaments in margin

Calligraphy : Naskh

Number of lines :15

Inks          : Main text in black with diacritical marks in red

Punctuation: yellow circle to separate between verses.

Frame       :  Nil

History of Manuscript :

Number of folios : 131 ff

Support of writing : Western paper

Gatherings :13 quinon + 1 f

Catchwords :first word on subsequent page in bottom left of recto

Dimensions : 33.0 cm x 25.0 cm

Binding   :Brown leather with flap

Estimated Market Price :

Purchased Price : USD

Remarks : One of the best and beautiful Etiopia Quran I have ever seen.

Ancient Manuscript Review 104 : Antique Kufic Quran on parchment / Vellum ( 9th Century CE)

 

This is a vellum with both sides written Quranic verses in Kufic script. Acquired from an acquaintance in Paris. The vellum originally belonged to a Professor of Islamic Art. I couldn't verify the exact date of this vellum however based on the script (Kufic), I would estimate it around 9th -10th century CE.

Codicology

Title Page : Nil

Content    : Quranic Verses

Date         : 9th-10th Century CE

Copyist    : Anonymous

Patron      : Nil

Origin      : Near East or North Africa

Place acquired : Paris

Illuminations : Nil

Calligraphy :Kufi

Number of lines :

Inks          : Main text in black

Punctuation: flowery disc to separate between verses.

Frame       :  Nil

History of Manuscript : Originally belonged to a Professor of Islamic Art in Paris. His family sold some of these vellums to a friend. I acquired this vellum from him in 2013.

Number of folios : 1 f

Support of writing : Dark brownish vellum

Gatherings : N/A

Catchwords :Nil

Dimensions : 19.0 cm x 13.0 cm

Binding   : Nil

Estimated Market Price :

Purchased Price : USD

Remarks : The vellum has bit rougher surface on one side.

Ancient Coin Review 61 : Sultan Abul Din ( Pasai Sultanate 1406-1412 CE)

This one of earliest small coins or masakas during the time of Sultan Abul Din .He reigned Pasai Sultanate from 1406-1412 CE. It was presumed that he was the old fisherman who married the widow of Sultan Zain Al Abidin II.

Pasai, also known as Samudera and Samudera-Pasai sometimes called Samudera Darussalam was a Muslim harbour kingdom on the north coast of Sumatra from the 13th to the 15th centuries CE. It was believed the word Samudera derived from Samudra meaning ocean in Sanskrit. According to Hikayat Raja-raja Pasai, it was said Merah Silu saw an ant as big as a cat, he caught it and ate it and he named the place Samandara. King Merah Silu later converted to Islam, known as Malik ul Salih, he was the sultan in year 1267 CE.

Obv: Ahmad Abul Din
Rev: AsSultan Al Adil
Weight : 0.26 gm
Dim : 6mm
Date : 1406 - 1412 CE
Rarity : RRR
Denom : 1/2 kupang or Masakas
Material : Gold
Reference :  No reference

Ancient Manuscript Review 103 : Antique Ottoman Quran Scroll ( 1200 AH)

This is an Ottoman Quran Scroll written on Ghubari script on paper.The heading is illuminated with names of Abu Bakr, Omar, Usman & Ali - Closest Companions of Prophet. The Basmalla is written in red whereas the main text in black. Acquired from Sahaflar Carsisi Istanbul in 2013.Dated 1200 AH ( 1785 CE) by Muhammad Abdul Shahid.

Codicology

Title Page : Nil

Content    : Full Quran

Date         : 1200 AH

Copyist    : Muhammad Abdul Shahid

Patron      : Nil

Origin      : Turkey

Place acquired : Istanbul

Illuminations : Nil

Calligraphy :Ghubari

Number of lines :

Inks          : Main text in black with Basmallah in red

Punctuation:

Frame       :  Nil

History of Manuscript :

Number of folios : 1scroll

Support of writing : Light yellowish paper

Gatherings : N/A

Catchwords :Nil

Dimensions : 370.0 cm x 3.0 cm

Binding   : Nil

Estimated Market Price :

Purchased Price : USD

Remarks :

Ancient Manuscript Review 102 : Antique Kufic Quran Parchment / Vellum ( 9th or 10th century CE)

This is a vellum with both sides written Quranic verses in Kufic script. The Basmalla was written in gold whereas the main text in black. Acquired from an acquaintance in Paris. The vellum originally belonged to a Professor of Islamic Art. I couldn't verify the exact date of this vellum however based on the script (Kufic), I would estimate it around 9th -10th century CE.

Codicology

Title Page : Nil

Content    : Quranic Verses

Date         : 9th-10th Century CE

Copyist    : Anonymous

Patron      : Nil

Origin      : Near East or North Africa

Place acquired : Paris

Illuminations : Nil

Calligraphy :Kufi

Number of lines :

Inks          : Main text in black with Basmallah in gold

Punctuation: Gold flowery disc to separate between verses.

Frame       :  Nil

History of Manuscript : Originally belonged to a Professor of Islamic Art in Paris. His family sold some of these vellums to a friend. I acquired this vellum from him in 2013.

Number of folios : 1 f

Support of writing : Light brownish vellum

Gatherings : N/A

Catchwords :Nil

Dimensions : 20.0 cm x 10.0 cm

Binding   : Nil

Estimated Market Price :

Purchased Price : USD

Remarks : The vellum is a bit glossy on one side. The ink is black but some places where the ink faded leaving red stains.

Ancient Manuscript Review 101 : Antique Hijazi Quran Parchment / Vellum ( 8th Century CE)

This is Quranic verses written in Hijazi script on a brownish vellum. Acquired from an acquaintance in Paris. The vellum originally belonged to a Professor of Islamic Art. I couldn't verify the exact date of this vellum however based on the script ( Hijazi), I would estimate it around 8th -9th century CE.
This leaf contains Surah Al Araaf ( chapter 7) from verse 128 till verse 131.

Similar leaf is on display in London Central Mosque Gallery. The leaf is believed from the same source containing the same chapter but from verse 19 till 22. The website is as below :
ExhibitionIslamUK
Quran Leaf

From my research, I discovered that a similar leaf was sold in Ebay in 2007 for USD1000. See below for the link
Hijazi vellum on Ebay

Codicology

Title Page : Nil

Content    : Quranic Verses. Chapter 7 ( Surah Al Araaf) verse 128-131

Date         : 8th Century CE

Copyist    : Anonymous

Patron      : Nil

Origin      : Middle East

Place acquired : Paris

Illuminations : Nil

Calligraphy : Hijazi

Number of lines :5 lines per page

Inks          : Black

Punctuation: 6 black dots

Frame       :  Nil

History of Manuscript : Originally belonged to a Professor of Islamic Art in Paris. His family sold some of these vellum to a friend. I acquired this vellum from him in 2013.

Number of folios : 1 f

Support of writing : Brownish vellum

Gatherings : N/A

Catchwords :Nil

Dimensions : 18.0 cm x 14.0 cm

Binding   : Nil

Estimated Market Price :

Purchased Price : USD

Remarks : The vellum is a bit glossy as if a protective layer has been applied to the surface. The ink is black but some places where the ink faded leaving red stains The vellum is a bit hard & thick.