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.