Ancient Manuscript Review 208 : Antique Quran Arabic Islamic Papyrus from Egypt ( 8th Century)

 

This is a papyrus fragment written in Qurra ( Naskh) script in black ink. I couldn't decipher the content of this fragment. It is written in Arabic language and it could be Quranic or just Arabic document.Origin from Egypt and purchased from USA with COA. It is claimed from 8th Century CE based on the paleography and the medium

I don't 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. I welcome any feedback on this fragment.

Manuscript Specs

Item : Islamic Papyus Manuscript

Content :  Islamic / Quranic

Dim : 100mm x 95mm

Date : 8th century CE

Copyist :  N/A

Origin :  Egypr

Calligraphy : Qurra / Naskh

Design :

Purchased Price :US

Antique Manuscript Review 200 : Antique Somalia Quran in a palm leaf box ( 1271 AH)

 These are 7 volumes of full Quran from Somalia!! What make Quran set interesting is that it has its own box made of palm leaf. All opening page on every m,anuscript are beautifully decorated with local tribal motifs.

 

 I still couldn't figure what type of script written. Is it a Sudani script ( from a Maghribi Script) or is it a twisted form of Naskh script. I need to do more research.It is a complete Quran without any missing page. All books are bounded with embossed leather covers.

This Quran is dated Rabiul Thani 1271 AH ( Dec 1854 CE ) and copied by Hassan Bin Sayed.

Check my other Somalia Qurans on below links :
Somali Quran in a Box
Somali Quran (small)
Somali Quran (small)
Somali Quran ( big)

Manuscript Specs

Item : A Somalian complete Quran in 7 books with a palm leaf box
Content : Quran written in Naskh ( or Sudani) with vowel & diacritical signs.The world " Allah" in red. 11 lines per page
Dim : 6.5" x 4.5" x 1" ( 7 books in total)
Date : 1271 AH  ( 1854 CE)
Copyist : Hassan Bin Sayed
Origin : Somalia
Calligraphy : twisted Naskh or Sudani
Design : leather.
Purchased Price :USD 

Ancient Manuscript Review 195 : Antique Quran Arabic Islamic Papyrus from Egypt ( 8th Century)

This is a papyrus fragment written in Qurra ( Naskh) script in black ink. I couldn't decipher the content of this fragment. It is written in Arabic language and it could be Quranic or just Arabic document.Origin from Egypt and purchased from USA with COA. It is claimed from 8th Century CE based on the paleography and the medium
I don't 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. I welcome any feedback on this fragment.

See my other Arabic papyrus below
Arabic Papyrus

Manuscript Specs

Item : Islamic Papyus Manuscript
Content :  Islamic / Quranic
Dim : 100mm x 95mm
Date : 8th century CE
Copyist :  N/A
Origin :  Egypt
Calligraphy : Qurra / Naskh
Design :
Purchased Price :US

Ancient Manuscript Review 186 : Antique Quran Arabic Islamic Papyrus from Egypt ( 8th Century)

This is a papyrus fragment written in Qurra ( Naskh) script in black ink. I couldn't decipher the content of this fragment. It is written in Arabic language and it could be Quranic or just Arabic document.Origin from Egypt and purchased from USA with COA. It is claimed from 8th Century CE based on the paleography and the medium
I don't 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. I welcome any feedback on this fragment.

Manuscript Specs

Item : Islamic Papyus Manuscript
Content :  Islamic / Quranic
Dim : 100mm x 95mm
Date : 8th century CE
Copyist :  N/A
Origin :  Egypr
Calligraphy : Qurra / Naskh
Design :
Purchased Price :US

Ancient Manuscript Review 184 : Antique African Islamic Magical Amulet / Tuareg Gris Gris ( 19th century)

 

This is an amulet or gris-gris from Africa contains series of squares & numbers based on Quranic verses. This manuscript has each magical square representing each surah in the Quran ( total 114 Surah). It is originated from Niger Africa of Tuareg ethnic. The Tuareg, are a nomadic culture of Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, and Mali. The pouch is 7" by 5" in dimension and weighs 74gm.

 

 I really dont know what is the purpose of this amulet and what can this amulet do. But from the Wiki, below is the excerpt :

 

"A gris-gris is formed in a small, leather pouch which is usually etched with verses from the Qur'an. Inside the pouch are engravings specially tailored to the wearer. The pouch is then sprinkled with blessed water while an incantation is recited.The ceremony is traditionally conducted over an altar with a burning candle being present.The ingredients of the gris-gris number one, three, five, seven, nine or thirteen.Sometimes stones and other items with occult-meanings are added to the pouch. There will often be a doll symbolising the wearer also attached to the pouch.^"

 

 The amulet is sealed however I believed it contains similar amulet as in my other amulet in previous entry below :

African Amulet

 

 

Manuscript Specs

Item : Antique  Africa Magical Amulet / Talisman / Gris-gris
Content : A complete amulet based on a complete Quran
Dim : 16.0cm x 10.0cm x 1.0cm
Date : 18th century
Copyist : anonymous
Origin :  Africa
Calligraphy : Sudani
Design : Magical Square with numbers
Purchased Price :US

Antique Manuscript Review 181 : Antique Somalia Quran in a leather box ( 18th Century)

These are 7 volumes of full Quran from Somalia!! What make Quran set interesting is that it has its own box made of leather. The opening chapter is beautifully decorated with local tribal motifs.

The set was originally for Waqf and later owned by Mualim Ahmad Raml.

I still couldn't figure what type of script written. Is it a Sudani script ( from a Maghribi Script) or is it a twisted form of Naskh script. I need to do more research.It is a complete Quran without any missing page. All books are bounded with embossed leather covers.

 

This Quran is undated however bsed on my other Somalia Quran, I would safely estimated it from 18th Century..
Check my other Somalia Qurans on below links :
Somali Quran (small)
Somali Quran (small)
Somali Quran ( big)

Manuscript Specs

Item : A Somalian complete Quran in 7 books with a leather box
Content : Quran written in Naskh ( or Sudani) with vowel & diacritical signs.The world " Allah" in red. 11 lines per page
Dim : 6.5" x 4.5" x 1" ( 7 books in total)
Date : undated but estimated 18th Century
Copyist : anonymous
Origin : Somalia
Calligraphy : twisted Naskh or Sudani
Design : leather.
Purchased Price :USD

Ancient Manuscript Review 180 : Antique Ottoman Quran with Tajwid Notes 1292 AH ( 1875 C.E )

This is an Ottoman Quran acquired from Istanbul a few years ago. It is incomplete as the first few pages are missing. Many of the pages are torn along the gold frame due to the copper reaction with the paper. The Quran dated 1292 AH on the inner cover which is equivalent to 1875 CE. I purchased this Quran due to its being different than other Ottoman Qurans. This particular Quran has notes on the rules of reading Quran ( Tajwid) on the margin on every page. Check my other Ottoman Quran which has similar feature as below :
QuranOttoman1275H

Now compare this Quran with my other Ottoman Quran which doesn't have the Tajwid notes on margin as below :
QuranOttoman1282H

Codicology

Title Page : Nil

Content    : Quran

Date         : 1292 AH ( 1875 CE)

Copyist    : Anonymous

Patron      : Nil

Origin      : Turkey

Place acquired : Istanbul

Illuminations : Gold gilded borders on every page with multicolor floral motif on margin

Calligraphy : Naskh as main text with Thuluth as heading

Number of lines :15 lines per page

Inks          : Clear Naskhi script in black ink within a blue/red frame with gold discs between verses

Punctuation: Vowels and diacritical signs are in red & black

Frame       :  Gold Frame

History of Manuscript : Purchased from Sahaflar Carcisi, Istanbul

Number of folios :  ff

Support of writing :Oriental cream paper

Gatherings :

Catchwords :Bottom left on verso

Dimensions : 16.0 cm x 10.0 cm

Binding   : Brown cover with embossed floral motif

Estimated Market Price :

Purchased Price : USD

Remarks : 

Ancient Manuscript Review 178 : Antique Central Asia / Daghestan Quran Leaves 18th Century

 

When I first started collecting, I purchased these large size Quran leaves from a seller based in Lebanon. He claimed these Quran leaves from Mamluk's.
However years after the purchase and I get to handle and to see different types of Quran, I could strongly dismiss this claim. From the design, paper and calligraphy used, these leaves are from Central Asia possibly Daghestan.
This is the same seller who convinced me to buy an old Quran which he claimed from Kashmir but I found out not so long after that it was from Central Asia as well. The same seller cheated me twice, Oh dear!! But that was a while ago when I was so naive in collecting and my knowledge on ancient Quran manuscripts almost to nothing.
The leaves of the Quran in this posting are of Central Asia based on below criteria :
1) Large Dimension typically 330/340 mm  x 210/220 mm
2) Western paper was used whereas most Mamluk's Quran on oriental paper
3) Simple Naskh was used whereas Mamluk's more towards Muhaqaq or Rayhan.
4) Natural water colored whereas Mamluk Quran normally is luxurious with gold illumination.
5) The heading is with Naskh khat whereas in Mamluk's the heading will be written with different khat such as Thuluth
6) The multicolored disc on margin is more native to Central Asia and surrounding area.

Compare these leaves with my other Central Asia Quran in below links :
Daghestan Quran 1
Daghestan Quran 2



Manuscript Specs

Item : Handwritten Central Asia Quran loose folios
Content : Quran
Dim : 340mm x 210mm
Date : 18th Century
Copyist :
Origin : Central Asia
Calligraphy : Naskh
Design : Text written in Naskh script on laid paper with vowel & diacritical signs in black. 13 lines per page.Margin or most pages were decorated with beautiful multicolored disc water painted.
Purchased Price :USD

Ancient Manuscript Review 175 : Antique Quran Frontispiece Page Saadi Dynasty ( 16th-17th Century )

This is an illuminated page or a frontispiece found in one of my Maghribi Quran from Saadi era. It is beautifully colored with natural dye and decorated with symmetrical foliage.
In this frontispiece, overall design is fully covered with leafy shoots with curling, flat, rounded and pointed leaves, joined to a stem which is covered by their movement.
In the middle of this page, these foliates are overlapping each other and forming a geometric design forming 8-point star.
Colors used in this design are red, turquoise, white, gold and yellow

Compare the other illuminated page from the same manuscript below

Maghribi Quran Patron Page

Dim : 200mm x 180mm
Date : 16th Century CE (Saadi Dynasty)
Material : Western Paper
Origin : Morocco
Ref : Royal Illuminated Manuscripts of Morocco

Ancient Manuscript Review 171 : Antique Kufic Quran on Vellum / Parchment ( 10th Century)

 

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 based on the type of calligraphy. 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 :6 lines per page

Inks          : Main text in red

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 redish 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 170 : Antique Kufi Quran Patron Page Saadi Dynasty ( 16th-17th Century )

This is an illuminated page found in one of my Maghribi Quran from Saadi era. It is beautifully colored with natural dye and I believe the patron name is written in Kufi in the middle.

 It reads محمد بركة  ( Muhammad Barkat).

Dim : 200mm x 180mm
Date : 16th Century CE (Saadi Dynasty)
Material : Western Paper
Origin : Morocco

Ancient Manuscript Review 166 : Antique Kufic Quran Near East on Vellum - 9th CE

This is a single folio of Quran written in Kufic on vellum. I purchased this vellum from USA. This Kufic style is defined by Prof Deroche as B-II i.e " Early Abbasid Scripts". In reference to " Islamic Codicology", this script is datable to 9th Century CE. Refer to pg 151 of Alain George's book " The Rise of Islamic Calligraphy" for the explanation.

This leaf probably from Near East was trimmed and laid down on a later sheet of paper with gold and colored margin rules. The writing on one side is visible whereas the other side its almost wiped out probably due to the framing.

From Bonhams's website, similar leaves were sold on Auction 21723, Lot 2 for  £3,750 (AED 26,794) . I believe this leaf came from the same Mushaf. See the link :

Bonhams Kufi Leaf

 

Codicology

Title Page : Nil

Content    : Quranic Verses

Date         : 9th CE

Copyist    : Anonymous

Patron      : Nil

Origin      : Near East

Place acquired : USA

Illuminations : Nil

Calligraphy :Kufic ( Early Abbasid )

Number of lines :15 lines per page

Inks          : Main text in black

Punctuation: Diacritical marks in black & re. Gold verse marker.

Frame       :  Nil

History of Manuscript : Bought from USA

Number of folios : 1 f

Support of writing : light brownish vellum

Gatherings : N/A

Catchwords :Nil

Dimensions : leaf 120 x 178 mm.; visible sheet 140 x 200 mm.

Binding   : Nil

Estimated Market Price : £3,750 (AED 26,794)

Purchased Price : USD

Remarks : 

Ancient Manuscript Review 162 : Antique Quran Giant Leaf in Thuluth Script ( circa 17th CE)

This is a leaf I bought from Istanbul bazaar. I purchased it due to its big size (43cm x 30cm) and the style of calligraphy i.e The Thuluth. We dont see many Quran written in this script and size except prior 18th century. This leaf I estimated written from 17th to 18th century CE. Look my other Quran leaf which was written in Muhaqqaq and notice the difference of calligraphy style.
Muhaqqaq Leaf

 Codicology

Title Page :

Content    : Surah  from Al Quran

Date         :17-18th century

Copyist    : Anonymous

Patron      : n/a

Origin      :Turkey

Place acquired : Istanbul

Illuminations : Nil

Calligraphy : Main text in Thuluth script.

Number of lines :13 lines per page

Inks          : Black & red

Punctuation: verses separated with red waw symbol

Frame       : no 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 : Yellowish western paper

Gatherings : N/A

Catchwords :Nil

Dimensions : 43.0 cm x  30.0 cm

Binding   : Nil

Estimated Market Price :

Purchased Price : USD

Remarks : Compare the calligraphy with my other Muhaqqaq Quran as below link..

Mamluk Leaf 

Syrian Muhaqqaq Quran

Ancient Manuscript Review 161 : Antique Quranic / Arabic Calligraphy Practice Sheet / Ottoman Karalama (19th Century)

This is a practise sheet / karalama most likely in preparation to write a Quran. Undated but most likely from 19th century and written on western paper. It seemed that this was a guided practice. Original calligraphy was written in black in Thuluth script and an expert or a teacher corrected the calligraphy in red. Acquired from Istanbul.

Manuscript Specs

Item : A calligraphy practice sheet
Content : Quran surah written in black and red
Dim : 290 x 190 mm
Date : undated but estimated 19th Century
Copyist : anonymous
Origin : Istanbul
Calligraphy: Thuluth
Design : Laid paper
Purchased Price :USD

Antique Manuscript Review 91 : Antique Somalia Quran ( 18th Century)

These are 7 volumes of full Quran from Somalia!!
This Quran consists of 7 books.I still couldn't figure what type of script written. Is it a Sudani script ( from a Maghribi Script) or is it a twisted form of Naskh script. I need to do more research.
One of the volumes has the opening chapter page beautifully illuminated.
I noticed also 1 page has  a strange symbol in the margin as you can see in below photo. Is this a talisman? I noticed similar symbols in my Yemeni and Saharan Quran. Check out these Qurans at
Saharan Quran
Yemeni Quran

This Quran is undated however bsed on my other Somalia Quran, I would safely estimated it from 18th Century..
Check my other Somalia Qurans on below links :
Somali Quran (small)
Somali Quran (small)
Somali Quran ( big)

Manuscript Specs

Item : A Somalian complete Quran in 7 books
Content : Quran written in Naskh ( or Sudani) with vowel & diacritical signs.The world " Allah" in red. 11 lines per page
Dim : 6.5" x 4.5" x 1" ( 7 books in total)
Date : undated but estimated 18th Century
Copyist : anonymous
Origin : Somalia
Calligraphy : twisted Naskh or Sudani
Design : leather.
Purchased Price :USD

Ancient Manuscript Review 158 : Antique Malay Handwritten Quran ( 19th Century)

 

This is a beautifully written Quran manuscript originated from South East Asia. Every Juz first page is decorated with Surah Al Kahf full decorated in the middle. Few pages from the beginning and the ending of this Quran missing. Unfortunately this Quran is in a bad shape with most of the pages damp and covered with fungus. I have a plan to treat this Quran when I have some spare time.  This manuscript is written in Malay-Naskh calligraphy in black ink on Dutch beige paper 15 lines to a page. .All headings are written in red with every “ ayaah” or verses are separated by small red circle.  

 

The borders of the pages are ruled  double black line. About 200+ leaves ( 400+ pages). This Quran is undated but we estimated it from 18th century.  I acquired this manuscript from a friend in Indonesia in 2014.

Manuscript Specs

Item : Antique Malay Quran
Manuscript Content : Quran
Dim : 33 cm x 21 cm x 3 cm
Date : 18th century
Copyist : anonymous
Origin : South East Asia
Calligraphy : Malay - Naskh
Design : Written in Malay-Naskh scripts in red & black
Purchased Price :US

Ancient Manuscript Review 153 : Antique Malay Quran Manuscript 18th Century

 

This is a beautifully written Quran manuscript originated from South East Asia. This is a complete Quran without any missing pages. This manuscript is written in Malay-Naskh calligraphy in black ink on Dutch beige paper 15 lines to a page. Brown leather binding beautifully embossed in a floral design.Some pages are loose, water stained and torn with fraying edges.All headings are written in red with every “ ayaah” or verses are separated by small red circle.  

 

The borders of the pages are ruled with red ( inset) and black ( outset).About 200+ leaves ( 400+ pages). This Quran is undated but we estimated it from 18th century based from the watermark on most of the pages. The watermark bears the words Concordia Res Parvae Crescunt ( Through concord little things grow) and a crowned lion, a typical theme used by VOC Dutch ( 1603-1800CE) during occupation in Indonesia. I acquired this manuscript from a friend in Indonesia in 2014.

Manuscript Specs

Item : Antique Malay Quran
Manuscript Content : Quran
Dim : 33 cm x 21 cm x 3 cm
Date : 18th century
Copyist : anonymous
Origin : South East Asia
Calligraphy : Malay - Naskh
Design : Written in Malay-Naskh scripts in red & black
Purchased Price :US