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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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Oval bezel amulet from a bracelet, inscribed with the Throne verse

  • loan
  • Literature notes

    Bracelet composed of three elements: central (I), on the left side (II) and on the right side (III).

    I - Red jasper (?) in undecorated silver setting; bezel; oval. The inscription is found on the central ground (A), within two concentric lines, and on the border (B), surrounded on its outer edge by two concentric oval lines. In the central ground (A): five lines separated by straight lines formed by elongation of the return of the final loop; in the border (B): One line. Cursive script; engraved.

    A - (1) Oh my God! Bless the Chosen Muḥammad, the Approved `Alī,
    اللهم صل على المصطفي محمد والمرتضي على
    (2) The Virgin Fāṭima, the two Gentle Ones al-Ḥasan and al-Ḥusayn. And bless the Ornament of the servants of God `Alī;
    والبتول فاطمه والسبطين الحسن والحسين وصل على زين العباد على
    (3) The Great Muḥammad, the Just Ja`far, The Silent Mūsā, The Pleasing `Alī,
    والباقر محمد والصادق جعفر والكاظم موسى والرضا على
    (4) The Pious Muḥammad, the Pure `Alī, and the Virtuous, the Soldier al-Ḥasan. And bless the i-
    والتقي محمد والنقي على والزكى العسكرى الحسن وصل على الا
    (5) mām the Hero Muḥammad al-Mahdī - peace upon him and upon them.
    مام الهمام محمد المهدى عليه وعليهم السلام

    B - In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate. 'God, there is no god but He, the Living, the Everlasting. Slumber seizes Him not, neither sleep; to Him belongs all that is in the heavens and earth. Who is there that shall interced with Him save by His leave? He knows what lies before them and what is after them, and they comprehend not anything of His knowledge save such as He wills. 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)
    بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم الله لا اله الا هو الحى القيوم لا تاخذه سنة ولا نوم له ما في
    السموات وما في الارض من ذا الذى يشفع عنده الا باذنه يعلم ما بين ايديهم وما خلفهم
    ولا يحيطون بشئ من علمه الا بما شاء وسع كرسيه السموات والارض ولا يؤده حفظهما
    وهو العلى العظيم
    There are some dots, isolated or in groups, spread over the ground.
  • Details

    Associated place
    Asia Iran (probable place of creation)
    Asia India (possible place of purchase)
    Date
    probably 18th - 19th century (1701 - 1900)
    Associated people
    Prophet Muhammad (c. AD 570 - 632) (named on object)
    'Ali ibn Abi Talib (ruled AD 656 - 661) (named on object)
    Fatima (AD 606 - 632) (named on object)
    Hasan ibn 'Ali ibn Abi Talib (AD c. 625 - 669) (named on object)
    Husain ibn 'Ali ibn Abi Talib (AD 626 - 680) (named on object)
    'Ali ibn al-Husayn (died AD 714) (named on object)
    Muhammad ibn 'Ali (died AD 733) (named on object)
    Ja'far ibn Muhammad (died AD 765) (named on object)
    Musa ibn Ja'far (died AD 799) (named on object)
    'Ali ibn Musa (AD 765 - 818) (named on object)
    Muhammad Jawad ibn 'Ali (died AD 835) (named on object)
    'Ali al-Hadi ibn Muhammad (died AD 868) (named on object)
    al-Hasan ibn 'Ali (died AD 874) (named on object)
    Muhammad al-Mahdi (occultation AD 940) (named on object)
    Material and technique
    jasper, incised; silver setting
    Dimensions
    with setting 2.8 x 4 x 0.8 cm (height x width x depth)
    jasper 2.4 x 3.4 cm (height x width)
    Material index
    inorganicstonegemstonequartz jasper,
    inorganicmineralsilicaquartz jasper,
    inorganicstonesilicaquartz jasper,
    Technique index
    formed cast
    Object type index
    No. of items
    1
    Credit line
    Lent by the Bodleian Library, University of Oxford.
    Accession no.
    LI1008.24
  • Further reading

    Kalus, Ludvik, Catalogue of Islamic Seals and Talismans (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1986), no. 2.4.I on pp. 99-100, pl. II.2.4.i

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

    Bracelet composed of three elements: central (I), on the left side (II) and on the right side (III).

    I - Red jasper (?) in undecorated silver setting; bezel; oval. The inscription is found on the central ground (A), within two concentric lines, and on the border (B), surrounded on its outer edge by two concentric oval lines. In the central ground (A): five lines separated by straight lines formed by elongation of the return of the final loop; in the border (B): One line. Cursive script; engraved.

    A - (1) Oh my God! Bless the Chosen Muḥammad, the Approved `Alī,
    اللهم صل على المصطفي محمد والمرتضي على
    (2) The Virgin Fāṭima, the two Gentle Ones al-Ḥasan and al-Ḥusayn. And bless the Ornament of the servants of God `Alī;
    والبتول فاطمه والسبطين الحسن والحسين وصل على زين العباد على
    (3) The Great Muḥammad, the Just Ja`far, The Silent Mūsā, The Pleasing `Alī,
    والباقر محمد والصادق جعفر والكاظم موسى والرضا على
    (4) The Pious Muḥammad, the Pure `Alī, and the Virtuous, the Soldier al-Ḥasan. And bless the i-
    والتقي محمد والنقي على والزكى العسكرى الحسن وصل على الا
    (5) mām the Hero Muḥammad al-Mahdī - peace upon him and upon them.
    مام الهمام محمد المهدى عليه وعليهم السلام

    B - In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate. 'God, there is no god but He, the Living, the Everlasting. Slumber seizes Him not, neither sleep; to Him belongs all that is in the heavens and earth. Who is there that shall interced with Him save by His leave? He knows what lies before them and what is after them, and they comprehend not anything of His knowledge save such as He wills. 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)
    بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم الله لا اله الا هو الحى القيوم لا تاخذه سنة ولا نوم له ما في
    السموات وما في الارض من ذا الذى يشفع عنده الا باذنه يعلم ما بين ايديهم وما خلفهم
    ولا يحيطون بشئ من علمه الا بما شاء وسع كرسيه السموات والارض ولا يؤده حفظهما
    وهو العلى العظيم
    There are some dots, isolated or in groups, spread over the ground.
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