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).
Publications online: 237 objects
Oval bezel amulet from a bracelet, inscribed with the Throne verse
- loan
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Literature notes
Bracelet composed of four elements, almost equal (I, II, III, IV).
I - Cornelian, in lightly decorated silver setting; bezel; oval. The inscription is found on the central ground (A), within two oval lines; on the interior border (B), surrounded on its outer edge by two oval lines; and on the exterior border (C), surrounded on its outer edge by two oval lines. One line throughout (B, A, C); cursive script; engraved.
B - Call upon `Alī, the manifestor of miracles. Thou shalt find him a help unto thee in adversities. All care and grief shall vanish by thy holiness,
ناد عليا مظهر العجائب تجده عونا لك في النوائب كل هم وغم سينجلى بولايتك
A - oh `Alī, oh `Alī, oh `Alī. يا على - يا على يا على
C - '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 intercede 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)
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 -
Details
- Associated place
- Date
- probably 18th - 19th century (1701 - 1900)
- Associated people
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'Ali ibn Abi Talib (ruled AD 656 - 661) (named on object)
- Material and technique
- cornelian, incised; silver setting, with incised decoration
- Dimensions
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with setting 2.9 x 4.2 x 1.1 cm (height x width x depth)
cornelian 2.4 x 3.3 cm (height x width)
- Material index
- Technique index
- Object type index
- No. of items
- 1
- Credit line
- Lent by the Bodleian Library, University of Oxford.
- Accession no.
- LI1008.8
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Further reading
Kalus, Ludvik, Catalogue of Islamic Seals and Talismans (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1986), no. 2.5.I on pp. 100-101, pl. II.2.5.i
Location
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- 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
-
Catalogue of Islamic Seals and Talismans
Bracelet composed of four elements, almost equal (I, II, III, IV).
I - Cornelian, in lightly decorated silver setting; bezel; oval. The inscription is found on the central ground (A), within two oval lines; on the interior border (B), surrounded on its outer edge by two oval lines; and on the exterior border (C), surrounded on its outer edge by two oval lines. One line throughout (B, A, C); cursive script; engraved.
B - Call upon `Alī, the manifestor of miracles. Thou shalt find him a help unto thee in adversities. All care and grief shall vanish by thy holiness,
ناد عليا مظهر العجائب تجده عونا لك في النوائب كل هم وغم سينجلى بولايتك
A - oh `Alī, oh `Alī, oh `Alī. يا على - يا على يا على
C - '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 intercede 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)
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
Notice
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