Ancient Manuscript Review 91 : Antique Syrian / Levantine Quran ( 18th Century)

 I acquired this Quran from a friend in Istanbul. This Quran was originally from Syria, however the family who owned this Quran migrated to Turkey and brought this Quran along. This is a huge Quran with beautiful handwritten calligraphy. Normally we see in Ottoman Quran that Muhaqqaq script is written for titles & subtitles; Naskh normally is the main script used for the entire text. However in this case, Muhaqqaq is used all through out.
Texts are written within double red-line frame with beautiful ornaments in margin. The first 2 pages are beautifully gold gilded & illuminated. Covers seem original. Very thick manuscript with over 800 follios.

It's undated ( or I couldn't locate the date) but there is a note written on the inner back cover in Turkish language mentioning the earthquake that occurred in 1289 AH ( 1872 CE) when the note was written. This indicated this Quran was written way before the year 1872 CE. Further googling showed that there was a big earthquake occured in 1872 CE somewhere eastern Turkey & Western Syria particularly in Antakiah ( Entioch). I believed this Quran must be located somewhere in Antakiah as the city was under Syria at that time.

The last few leaves there are notes beautifully written and some illustrations explaining the rule of Tajwid & the Qiraah of Quran.


Manuscript Specs

Item : Antique Syrian Quran
Content : A complete Quran
Dim : 340mm x 300mm x 100mm
Date : 18th Century ( Pre 1289 AH = 1872 CE)
Copyist : Ananymous
Origin : Syria / Levant
Calligraphy : Muhaqqaq
Design : 15 lines written text per page
Purchased Price :USD

Ancient Manuscript Review 90 : Antique French Parchment Manuscript ( 1640 CE)

This is a parchment written in old French about the purchase of land. I purchased this manuscript quite some time ago. Eventhough I am more interested in Arabic & Islamic Manuscripts, I acquired this manuscript to compare the western writing tradition with the Islamic writing tradition. The material used in this manuscript is from sheep leather written on both sides. There is a date 1640 CE written on the bottom of the deed.

Manuscript Specs

Item : Antique French Parchment
Content : A Land Purchase Agreement
Dim : 250mm x 200mm
Date : 1640 CE
Copyist : Ananymous
Origin : France
Calligraphy : Roman
Design :
Purchased Price :USD

Ancient Manuscript Review 89 : Antique Indian Quran Manuscript ( 18-19th Century)

This is a handwritten Quran from Indian region. Texts are written in Naskh script within double red-line & blue-line frame. The first 2 pages are beautifully gold gilded & illuminated. Covers were repaired with a flap. Very thich manuscript with over 1000 follios. Some pages were decorated with gold medallions in margin. 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 : 250mm x 180mm x 70mm
Date : 18th-19th CE
Copyist : Ananymous
Origin : India
Calligraphy : Naskh
Design : 11 lines written text per page
Purchased Price :USD

Ancient Manuscript Review 88 : Antique Thai Tamra Ya Manuscript ( 18-19th century)

This is a very interesting type of manuscript. I purchased this manuscript from  Thailand. This manuscript was written in Thai language on thick papers both sided sandwiched by 2 hard boards. According to a specialist from British Library, this could be a manuscript on Tamra Ya which is a herbal treatise or recipe. Thanks to her for helpful identification.
Similar manuscript can be seen at this link
http://www.bl.uk/manuscripts/FullDisplay.aspx?ref=Or_14723&index=32

I dont 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.

Manuscript Specs

Item : Antique Thai Tamra Ya Manuscript
Content : Herbal Treatise
Dim : 12" x 4" x 0.5"
Date : 18-19th century
Copyist : anonymous
Origin : Thailand
Calligraphy : Thai
Design : Written in Thai scripts in black
Purchased Price :US