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!!

Thursday, July 24, 2014

Ancient Manuscript Review 133 : Antique Etiopian Ge'ez Coptic Gospel ( 20th century)




 This is my another Coptic Bible written on vellum in Ge'ez language. I really dont know how to read this script. But the seller who is coptic herself told me that this is a gospel written in Ge'ez.
There are 3 pages with iconic drawings. On the last page, there is a thumb print I believe of the copyist.
Click these links to see my other Coptic Bibles

Coptic Gospel 1
Coptic Gospel 2
Coptic Gospel 3








Codicology



Title Page : Nil
Content    : Coptic Gospel
Date         : 20th Century CE
Copyist    : Anonymous
Patron      : Nil
Origin      : Etiopia
Place acquired : Etiopia
Illuminations :3 pages
Calligraphy :Ge'ez script
Number of lines : 23 lines per page
Inks          : Main text in black. Some key words in red.
Punctuation: Diacritical marks in black
Frame       :  Nil
History of Manuscript : Purchased from a contact in Etiopia
Number of folios : 150 ff
Support of writing : light yellowish vellum
Gatherings : N/A
Catchwords :Nil
Dimensions : 13.0 cm x 9.5 cm
Binding   :Maroon leather covers
Estimated Market Price :
Purchased Price : USD
Remarks :

Ancient Artifact Review 22 : Antique Ottoman Pen Case ( Divit) dated 1121 AH


 This is an old Ottoman Pen case ( Divit) which measures  12" long with an inkwell at one end. It is beautifully decorated with floral motives. Made of brass and dated 1121 AH ( 1709 CE).


Compare with pen case from Iran Qajaf era
Qajar Qalamdan


Dim : 12in
Date : 1121 AH ( 1709 CE)
Material : Brass
Origin : Turkey

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Rebinding Kitab Al Azkar Imam Nawawi

A while ago I posted a very old manuscript on Al Azkar Imam Nawawi. It is dated 667AH however the manuscript never been bounded. Its a loose manuscript wrapped with a leather cover. See below link :
Al Azkar Imam Nawawi

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 USD200 but Masyallah the result was fantastic!! All loose pages were binded and leather cover is beautifully embossed.
See below photos after the repair.

Old leather wrapping
New cover



New embossed leather cover

Before : loose pages
After : bounded pages
After : Bounded