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

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

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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Oval bezel amulet with thuluth inscription and floral decoration

  • Literature notes

    Brownish-red chalcedong; bezel, unbevelled; oval. The surface is dominated by a great decorative inscription in relief (A). On the surface of the letters of this inscription, there are other inscriptions, engraved (yā’ = B1, ḥā = B2, fiẓ = B3). Cursive script.

    A - Oh Guardian! يا حافظ

    B - (1) In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate. بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
    (2) 'Help from God and a nigh victory. Give thou good tidings to the believers!' (Qur. LXI, 13) ' "Why, God is the best guardian [...]" (Qur. XII, 64)
    الله خير [sic] نصر من الله وفتح قريب وبشر المؤمنين فا
    (3) Oh God the Praised in all His actions! Oh The Most High! Oh The Ever Forgiving One! [...], and He is the most merciful of the merciful.' (Qur. XII, 64)
    يا الله المحمود في كل فعاله يا على يا غفار حافظا وهو ارحم الراحمين

    There are some small flower heads spread over the ground between the inscriptions. The script ground is covered by groups of dots. Two lines follow the shape of the gem.
  • Details

    Associated place
    Asia Iran (probable place of creation)
    AfricaEgyptSawhāj Akhmim (find spot)
    Date
    16th - 19th century
    Material and technique
    chalcedony, incised
    Dimensions
    3.2 x 4.55 x 0.5 cm (height x width x depth)
    Material index
    Technique index
    Object type index
    No. of items
    1
    Credit line
    Presented by the Reverend Greville J. Chester, 1891.
    Accession no.
    EAX.3302
  • Further reading

    Kalus, Ludvik, Catalogue of Islamic Seals and Talismans (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1986), no. 1.55 on p. 77, pl. II.1.55

Location

    • currently in research collection

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Publications online

  • Islamic Seals and Talismans by Ludvik Kalus

    Catalogue of Islamic Seals and Talismans

    Brownish-red chalcedong; bezel, unbevelled; oval. The surface is dominated by a great decorative inscription in relief (A). On the surface of the letters of this inscription, there are other inscriptions, engraved (yā’ = B1, ḥā = B2, fiẓ = B3). Cursive script.

    A - Oh Guardian! يا حافظ

    B - (1) In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate. بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
    (2) 'Help from God and a nigh victory. Give thou good tidings to the believers!' (Qur. LXI, 13) ' "Why, God is the best guardian [...]" (Qur. XII, 64)
    الله خير [sic] نصر من الله وفتح قريب وبشر المؤمنين فا
    (3) Oh God the Praised in all His actions! Oh The Most High! Oh The Ever Forgiving One! [...], and He is the most merciful of the merciful.' (Qur. XII, 64)
    يا الله المحمود في كل فعاله يا على يا غفار حافظا وهو ارحم الراحمين

    There are some small flower heads spread over the ground between the inscriptions. The script ground is covered by groups of dots. Two lines follow the shape of the gem.
Notice

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