Syriac Collection

Chart of some early alphabets
Various ancient alphabets: Coptic, Syriac, Ethioptic, Gothic, and Illyrian (Servian). Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

ANCIENT ALPHABETS. Table of ancient written alphabets

The apostles gathered for the replacement of Judas by Matthias, folio from the Rabula Gospels
3506811 The apostles gathered for the replacement of Judas by Matthias, folio from the Rabula Gospels, 586 AD (tempera on vellum) by Byzantine School

Descent of the Holy Spirit, folio from the Rabula Gospels, 586 AD (tempera on vellum)
3506809 Descent of the Holy Spirit, folio from the Rabula Gospels, 586 AD (tempera on vellum) by Byzantine School, (6th century); 34x27 cm; Biblioteca Medicea-Laurenziana, Florence

Ms Plt 1 56 The Ascension, from the Rabula Gospels, 586 AD (vellum)
ALI216959 Ms Plt 1 56 The Ascension, from the Rabula Gospels, 586 AD (vellum) by Byzantine School, (6th century); Biblioteca Medicea-Laurenziana, Florence

Christ among the doctors, folio from the Rabula Gospels, 586 AD (tempera on vellum)
3506810 Christ among the doctors, folio from the Rabula Gospels, 586 AD (tempera on vellum) by Byzantine School, (6th century); 34x27 cm; Biblioteca Medicea-Laurenziana, Florence

Syriac Old Testament (litho)
3622991 Syriac Old Testament (litho) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Syriac Old Testament)

Syriac New Testament (litho)
3622989 Syriac New Testament (litho) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Syriac New Testament)

Elias - Jacobite Priest from Mesopotamia
SC20378 Elias - Jacobite Priest from Mesopotamia by Preziosi, Amadeo (1816-82); Victoria & Albert Museum, London, UK; (add.info)

Reduced Facsimile of the celebrated Christian Inscription of Singanfu, in Chinese and Syriac Characters (litho)
3628568 Reduced Facsimile of the celebrated Christian Inscription of Singanfu, in Chinese and Syriac Characters (litho) by English School

Madonna and Child, folio from the Rabula Gospels, 586 AD (tempera on vellum)
3506808 Madonna and Child, folio from the Rabula Gospels, 586 AD (tempera on vellum) by Byzantine School, (6th century); 34x27 cm; Biblioteca Medicea-Laurenziana, Florence, Italy; (add.info.: cod)

F. 4v, canon tables, from the Rabula Gospels, 586 AD (tempera on vellum)
3506803 F.4v, canon tables, from the Rabula Gospels, 586 AD (tempera on vellum) by Byzantine School, (6th century); 34x27 cm; Biblioteca Medicea-Laurenziana, Florence, Italy; (add.info.: cod. Plut)

Crucifixion and the Resurrection, from the Rabula Gospels, 586 AD (vellum) (b / w photo)
ALI353895 Crucifixion and the Resurrection, from the Rabula Gospels, 586 AD (vellum) (b/w photo) by Byzantine School, (6th century); Biblioteca Medicea-Laurenziana, Florence

Page from a Syriac Bible (colour litho)
961151 Page from a Syriac Bible (colour litho) by American School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Choice examples of paleography)

Syriac Orthodox priest, Jerusalem, Israel, Middle East

Syriac version of the Pentateuch, 1926. The Pentateuch comprises the first five books of the Old Testament. From An Outline of Christianity, The Story of Our Civilisation

Saint Simeon Stylites, Symeon the Stylite or Saint Simeon Stylites the Elder, c. 390? - 459. Syriac ascetic saint who achieved notability for living 37 years on a small platform on top of a pillar

Tapestry depicting the Last Supper of Jesus Christ, church in Midyat, Mardin, Turkey

Charles Lenox Cumming-Bruce in Turkish Dress Charles Lennox Cumming Charles Lennox Cumming-Bruce in `Syriac Costume Signed and dated in brown paint, lower right: " AGeddes 1817"

GOSPEL LECTIONARY, c1218. The Last Supper. Illumination from a Jacobite gospel lectionary. Syriac, 1216-1220

GOSPEL LECTIONARY, c1218. The Entry into Jerusalem. Manuscript illumination from a Jacobite gospel lectionary. Syriac, 1216-1220

SYRIAC MANUSCRIPT. Gospel of John, chapter vi. verses 53-64. Estrangela hand of the 5th century on Vellum

Kirchers Tower of Babel, 17th century
Kirchers Tower of Babel. 17th-century commentary on the Tower of Babel, by German Jesuit scholar Athanasius Kircher (circa 1601-1680). This tower in Babylon was built to reach heaven

Middle Eastern alphabets, 1823 C017 / 8056
Middle Eastern alphabets. 19th-century tables showing the scripts and alphabets used in Hebrew, Samaritan (Hebrew and Aramaic), Phoenician (Proto-Canaanite, coin numbers)

Church in Midyat, Mardin, Turkey

Detail of wooden church door full of nails, Mardin, Turkey

Bell tower of a church in Mardin, Turkey

Thomas Hyde, English orientalist
Thomas Hyde (1636-1703), English orientalist. Hyde was educated at Eton College and then Cambridge University. He studied a wide variety of languages, especially oriental ones

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Syriac, an ancient language with a rich history and cultural significance, is beautifully depicted in various forms of art and literature. The chart of early alphabets showcases the evolution and development of this unique script over time. From the table of ancient written alphabets, we can see how Syriac stands out as one of the oldest known scripts. The Rabula Gospels, created in 586 AD, provide us with stunning examples artwork on vellum. One folio depicts the gathering of apostles to replace Judas by Matthias, while another portrays the descent of the Holy Spirit. These intricate tempera paintings not only showcase religious scenes but also highlight the artistic prowess prevalent during that era. Amongst these pages lies a depiction of Christ among doctors, emphasizing Syriac's role in spreading Christianity throughout Mesopotamia. The litho prints displaying both Old and New Testaments further exemplify its importance as a sacred language for Christian communities. Elias, a Jacobite Priest from Mesopotamia, represents one individual who dedicated his life to preserving and promoting Syriac culture. His influence serves as a testament to the enduring legacy carried by this ancient language. Even beyond its native land, Syriac found itself intertwined with other cultures like China through inscriptions such as Singanfu's celebrated Christian inscription. This fusion highlights how languages transcend borders and connect diverse societies. In addition to textual works, exquisite illustrations like Madonna and Child grace these historical texts—testimony to both religious devotion and artistic excellence present within Syriac culture. Lastly, canon tables from Rabula Gospels demonstrate meticulous attention to detail while organizing biblical passages—a reflection not just on linguistic skill but also on intellectual depth possessed by those who worked with this script centuries ago.