A journey to search my soul

This is a blog of my personal collections. The purpose of this blog is to educate myself and public in regards to antiquities especially related to religion and calligraphy. I welcome everyone to input their feedback in this blog which they think would be helpful. I do not watermark the photos in this blog so everyone is free to use them as long as they are not used for illegal and unethical reasons. I appreciate if you could notify me if you plan to use any of the photos here. Enjoy browsing!!

Monday, June 11, 2012

Ancient Coin Review 45 : Sultan Ali Ibn Munawar Shah ( Aceh Sultanate 1586-1589 CE)


This is a gold coin from Sultan Ali Ibn Munawar Shah era. He was the grandson of Sultan Muhamad Shah of Johor. His original name is Raja Buyung. He reigned Aceh from 1586 - 1589 CE.

Obv: As Sultan Al Adil
Rev:  Ali Ibn Munawar Shah
Weight : 0.60 gm
Dim : 13mm
Date : 1586 - 1589 CE
Rarity :
Denom : Mas
Material : Gold
Reference : A 12 pg 169 ( Jaarboek Voor Munt-en Penningkunde)

Friday, June 8, 2012

Ancient Manuscript Review 59 : Antique Kashmiri Quran ( 1218 AH )








This is a beautiful old handwritten Quran originated from Kashmir during Mughal era. The first 2 pages , the 2 in the middle & the last 2 pages are heavily illuminated with gold water and various colors. Text written in Naskh within golden border with ornamented gold disc in the margin. Dated 1218 AH ( 1803 CE) copied by Habibullah. The lacquer covers make this Quran even more beautiful.The cover was decorated both externally & internally. Similar Kashmiri covers were sold in Christies's Auction Sale 9547 Lot 793 for USD2397.

Manuscript Specs

Item : A Handwritten Kashmiri Quran
Content : A complete Quran
Dim : 10" x 7" x 1.5"
Date :  1218AH ( 1803 CE).
Copyist : Habibullah
Origin : Kashmir
Calligraphy : Naskh
Design : Text written in Naskh script on Arabic paper with vowel & diacritical signs in black and red. 14 lines per page. Beautiful lacquer covers.
Purchased Price :USD

Monday, June 4, 2012

Ancient Coin Review 44 : Sultan Aladin Mansur Shah ( Aceh Sultanate 1579 - 1586 CE)


This is a gold coin from Sultan Aladin Mansur Shah era. He was the son of Sultan Ahmad of Perak. He reigned Aceh from 1579 - 1586 CE.

Obv: As Sultan Al Adil
Rev: Aladin ibn Ahmad
Weight : 0.60 gm
Dim : 12mm
Date : 1571 - 1579 CE
Rarity :
Denom : Mas
Material : Gold
Reference : A 11a pg 168 ( Jaarboek Voor Munt-en Penningkunde)

Ancient Manuscript Review 58 : Antique Iraqi Quran ( 1232 AH)





This is a handwritten Quran from Iraq. Texts are written in Naskh script within red frame. .The first 2 pages are beautifully gold gilded & illuminated. It's dated 1232 AH ( 1816 CE) but I couldn't decipher the name of the copyist.

Manuscript Specs

Item : Antique Quran
Content : A complete Quran
Dim : 11" x 8" x 2"
Date : 1232 AH ( 1816 CE)
Copyist : Indechiperable
Origin : Iraq
Calligraphy : Naskh
Design : 14 lines written text per page
Purchased Price :USD

Saturday, June 2, 2012

Ancient Coin Review 43 : Sultan Wan Ahmad AL Muazzam Shah ( Pahang Sultanate 1281 AH)


 This is a 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 1281 AH ( 1864 CE)

Obv : Floral Design
Rev: " Pada awal bulan Rabial Thani ini belanja Pahang dari tarikh sanat 1281" ( On the first of the month of Rabial Thani this currency of Pahang in the year 1281AH /1864AD)
Weight : 73.3 gm
Dim : 73 x 73 x 23 mm
Date : 1281 AH ( 1864 CE)
Rarity : R
Denom : 1 tampang = 1/25 Dollar           
Material : Tin
Reference : SS15  pg 141 ( The Encyclopedia of the Coins)

Ancient Manuscript Review 57 : Antique Malay Arabic Manuscript ( 1294CE))




This is a beautifully written manuscript about Islamic Jurisprudence originated from South East Asia. Its believed to have been written in 19th century. It's undated however there is one leaf with prayer and date 12 Jamadil Awal 1294 which equivalent to 26 May 1877 CE. The paper used is Daluang type, a popular paper making process in Indonesia.
I acquired this manuscript from a friend in Indonesia quite a while ago.

Manuscript Specs

Item : Antique Malay Arabic Manuscript
Content : Islamic Feqh
Dim : 9.5" x 7.5" x 0.5"
Date :  1294 AH ( 1877 CE)
Copyist : anonymous
Origin : South East Asia
Calligraphy : Malay ?
Design : Written in Malay scripts in red & black with explanation in Arabic language
Purchased Price :US

Ancient Manuscript Review 56 : Antique Ottoman Quran ( 1286 AH)





This is an Ottoman handwritten Quran that was purchased quite a while ago from a friend in Turkey. Texts are written in Naskh on cream paper with vowel & diacritical signs in black & red. 15 lines per page with floral ornaments in margin. The first 2 pages are beautifully illuminated as well as the colophone on the last page. This Quran was written in 1286 AH ( 1869 CE) by Hafiz Sayed AsShukri student of Haifz Muhammad Helmi.

Manuscript Specs

Item : A handwritten Ottoman Quran
Content : A complete Quran
Dim : 7.5" x 5" x 1.5"
Date : 1286AH ( 1869CE)
Copyist : Hafiz Sayed As Shukri
Origin : Turkey
Calligraphy : Nasqh
Design : Text written in Nasqh script on cream paper with vowel & diacritical signs in black & red. 15 lines per page with floral ornaments in margin.The first 2 pages are illuminated & gold gilded.
Purchased Price :USD

Ancient Coin Review 42 : Kelantan Sultanate Pitis ( 1770 - 1882 CE)


This is a tin coin from Kelantan Sultanate ( 1770-1882 CE).
Kelantan is a state of Malaysia located in the northeastern of Peninsular of Malaysia. The name of Kelantan originated from the Malay word Kilatan which means shiny/glittery. It is also known by its Arabic honorific, Darul Naim ( Abode of Blessed).
The Sultanate of Kelantan was founded since the 15th century by Sultan Iskandar Shah and later ruled by his son Sultan Mansur Shah till 1526 CE. The reign continues till today and the present Kelantan Sultan is Sultan Muhammad V
Obverse : Khalifatul Mukminin
Reverse : Similar to obverse
Weight : 3.65 gm
Dim : 24mm
Rarity : Common ( ref SS1 pg 216)

Ancient Coin Review 41 : Kelantan Sultanate Pitis (Sultan Muhammad II 1256AH / 1840 CE)


This is a tin coin from Sultan Muhammed II era of Kelantan Sultanate. He became the second sultan in 1838 CE.

Circular tin coin ( pitis / keping) under the rule of Kelantan Sultan Muhammed II ( 1838-1886 CE) minted in 1256AH = 1840 CE.

Obverse : Karam Duriba Sanat 1256 ( The exalted. Minted in the year 1256AH)
Reverse : Khalifatul Mukminin ( Ruler of the faithful)
Weight : 6.7 gm
Dim :30mm
Rarity : Common ( ref SS11 pg 220)

Ancient Coin Review 40 : Kelantan Sultanate Pitis ( 1770 - 1882 CE)


This is a tin coin from Kelantan Sultanate ( 1770-1882 CE).

Obverse : Khalifatul Mukminin
Reverse : Two plain line circles between the edge & central hole
Weight : 7 gm
Dim : 30mm
Rarity : R ( ref SS8 pg 126)

Ancient Coin Review 39 : Sultan Husain @ Ali Riayat Shah ( Aceh Sultanate 1571 - 1579 CE)


This is a gold coin from Sultan Ali Riayat Shah era. Sultan Ali original name is Husain and was the second son of Sultan Aladin Riayat Shah.

Obv: As Sultan Al Adil
Rev: Ali bin Aladin Malik AtTahir
Weight : 0.60 gm
Dim : 12mm
Date : 1571 - 1579 CE
Rarity :
Denom : Mas
Material : Gold
Reference : A 7c pg 166 ( Jaarboek Voor Munt-en Penningkunde)

Ancient Manuscript Review 55 : Antique Indian Quran (18th-19th Century)







This is a handwritten Quran from Indian region. Texts are written in Naskh script within yellow frame. A lot of pages are adorned with gold discs.The first & last 2 pages are beautifully gold gilded & illuminated. It's undated but from the design & illumination I would safely estimate it was written between 18th-19th century.

Manuscript Specs

Item : Antique Quran
Content : A complete Quran
Dim : 10.5" x 7" x 2"
Date : 18th-19th CE
Copyist : Ananymous
Origin : Afghanistan/India
Calligraphy : Naskh
Design : 11 lines written text per page
Purchased Price :USD

Ancient Manuscript Review 54 : Antique Indo Persian Quran ( 19th century)





This is a handwritten Quran from Indian-Persian region. Texts are written in Naskh script within gold frame. The first 2 pages are beautifully illuminated. It's undated but from the design & illumination I would safely estimate it was written between 18th-19th century.

Manuscript Specs

Item : Antique Quran
Content : A complete Quran
Dim : 7" x 4.5" x 1.5"
Date : 18th-19th CE
Copyist : Ananymous
Origin : Afghanistan/Iran/India
Calligraphy :  Naskh
Design : 14 lines written text per page
Purchased Price :USD

Ancient Manuscript Review 53 : Antique Indo Persian Quran in Thuluth Calligraphy ( 880AH)







This is a handwritten Quran from Indian-Persian region. Texts are written in Thuluth script with farsi translation in nastaliq script. It is copied in 880 AH ( 1475 CE).

Manuscript Specs

Item : Antique Quran
Content : A complete Quran with Persian translation
Dim : 12.5" x 9" x 2"
Date : 880AH ( 1475 CE)
Copyist : Ananymous
Origin : Afghanistan/Iran/India
Calligraphy : Thuluth & Nastaliq
Design : 11 lines
Purchased Price :USD