Eastern Art Online, Yousef Jameel Centre for Islamic and Asian Art

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Catalogue of Islamic Seals and Talismans

A catalogue of seals and talismans housed at the Ashmolean from the 8th to 19th century Islamic world, by Ludvik Kalus (published Oxford, 1986).

Islamic Seals and Talismans by Ludvik Kalus

Publications online: 237 objects

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Rectangular bezel amulet inscribed with the Throne verse

  • loan
  • Literature notes

    Uncrystallized quartzite (?); bezel, bevelled towards the front; rectangular with cut angles. The inscriptions are distributed on both faces of the gem: front (R) and back (V).

    R - Four lines separated by straight lines formed by elongation of a ligature or of return of a final loop. Cursive script; engraved.

    (1) 'God, there is no god but He, the Living, the Everlasting. Slumber seizes Him not, neither sleep; to Him belongs all that is in
    الله لا اله الا هو الحى القيوم لا تاخذه سنة ولا نوم له ما في
    (2) the heavens and the earth. Who is there that shall interced with Him save by His leave? He knows
    السموات وما في الارض من ذا الذى يشفع عنده الا باذنه يعلم
    (3) what lies before them and what is after them, and they comprehend not anything of His knowledge save such as He wills. The All-high [sic].
    [sic] ما بين ايديهم وما خلفهم ولا يحيطون بشئ من علمه الا بما شاء العلى
    (4) His Throne comprises the heavens and earth; the preserving of them oppresses Him not; He is [the All-high], the All-glorious. (Qur. II, 256/255)
    وسع كرسيه السموات والارض ولا يؤده حفظهما وهو [العلى] العظيم

    There are groups of dots serving as decoration spread over the ground. The script ground is surrounded by two lines.

    V - The inscription is engraved against a ground of rectangular shape with cut angles. Two lines separated by a straight line formed by elongation of a ligature; cursive script; engraved.

    (1) 'The thunder proclaims His praise, ويسبح الرعد بحمده
    (2) and the angels, in awe of Him.' (Qur. XIII, 13) والملائكة من خيفته

    There are groups of dots spread over the ground. The script ground is surrounded by two lines.
  • Details

    Associated place
    Asia India (possible place of creation)
    Asia Iran (possible place of creation)
    Asia India (possible place of purchase)
    Date
    probably 18th - 19th century (1701 - 1900)
    Material and technique
    uncrystallized quartzite, cut, bevelled, and incised
    Dimensions
    2.8 x 4.9 x 0.5 cm (height x width x depth)
    Material index
    Technique index
    cut,
    Object type index
    No. of items
    1
    Credit line
    Lent by the Bodleian Library, University of Oxford.
    Accession no.
    LI1008.31
  • Further reading

    Kalus, Ludvik, Catalogue of Islamic Seals and Talismans (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1986), no. 1.43 on p. 71, pl. II.1.43

Location

    • currently in research collection

Objects are sometimes moved to a different location. Our object location data is usually updated on a monthly basis. Contact the Jameel Study Centre if you are planning to visit the museum to see a particular object on display, or would like to arrange an appointment to see an object in our reserve collections.

 

Publications online

  • Islamic Seals and Talismans by Ludvik Kalus

    Catalogue of Islamic Seals and Talismans

    Uncrystallized quartzite (?); bezel, bevelled towards the front; rectangular with cut angles. The inscriptions are distributed on both faces of the gem: front (R) and back (V).

    R - Four lines separated by straight lines formed by elongation of a ligature or of return of a final loop. Cursive script; engraved.

    (1) 'God, there is no god but He, the Living, the Everlasting. Slumber seizes Him not, neither sleep; to Him belongs all that is in
    الله لا اله الا هو الحى القيوم لا تاخذه سنة ولا نوم له ما في
    (2) the heavens and the earth. Who is there that shall interced with Him save by His leave? He knows
    السموات وما في الارض من ذا الذى يشفع عنده الا باذنه يعلم
    (3) what lies before them and what is after them, and they comprehend not anything of His knowledge save such as He wills. The All-high [sic].
    [sic] ما بين ايديهم وما خلفهم ولا يحيطون بشئ من علمه الا بما شاء العلى
    (4) His Throne comprises the heavens and earth; the preserving of them oppresses Him not; He is [the All-high], the All-glorious. (Qur. II, 256/255)
    وسع كرسيه السموات والارض ولا يؤده حفظهما وهو [العلى] العظيم

    There are groups of dots serving as decoration spread over the ground. The script ground is surrounded by two lines.

    V - The inscription is engraved against a ground of rectangular shape with cut angles. Two lines separated by a straight line formed by elongation of a ligature; cursive script; engraved.

    (1) 'The thunder proclaims His praise, ويسبح الرعد بحمده
    (2) and the angels, in awe of Him.' (Qur. XIII, 13) والملائكة من خيفته

    There are groups of dots spread over the ground. The script ground is surrounded by two lines.
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