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 cabochon seal with kufic inscription

  • loan

Glossary

kufic

  • kufic

    A term denoting various styles of angular Arabic script. Emerged in the early centuries of Islam, kufic soon became the preferred hand to copy holy texts.

Location

    • currently in research collection

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Publications online

  • Islamic Seals and Talismans by Ludvik Kalus

    Catalogue of Islamic Seals and Talismans

    Amethyst; cabochon, plain-convex; oval (almost circular); angle slightly cut. One line of kufic script, slightly rounded, with an error in the first word where the initial rā' is executed topsy-turvy.

    My lord is God ربي الله

    Beneath, cross similar to the cross 'potencé'.

    On the basis of the shape of the gem and the text of the inscription, one could with reason classify this seal as of the classical period (I.1), but the script seems to be later.
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