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 with nasta’liq inscription and medallion decoration
- loan
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Literature notes
Cornelian; bezel, bevelled towards the front; oval. The inscription is distributed between the central ground, which has the shape of a decorative medallion (A), and the six segments around it (B1-6). Three lines (A) and one (B1, 2, 4 and 5) or two lines (B3 and 6), the reading starting on the top of the right and continuing clockwise. Cursive script; engraved.
A - (1) ' "As God will; ما شاء الله
(2) there is no power except in God"! لا قوة الا بالله
(3) If thou seest me, that I am less than thou in wealth and children.' (Qur. XVIII, 37/39) ان ترن انا اقل منك مالا وولدا
B - (1) Oh One! يا احد
(2a and b) Oh Sufficient in difficulties! يا كافي
المهمات
(3) Oh The Eternal One! يا صمد
(4) Oh Perpetual! يا ابد
(5a and b) Oh Judge of necessities! يا قاضي
الحاجات
(6) Oh The Most Forgiving One! يا غفور
On the ground dots in groups of three. One line follows the shape of the gem. -
Details
- Associated place
- Date
- possibly 18th - 19th century (1701 - 1900)
- Material and technique
- cornelian, bevelled and incised
- Dimensions
- 1 x 1.9 x 0.2 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.
- LI1008.85
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Further reading
Kalus, Ludvik, Catalogue of Islamic Seals and Talismans (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1986), no. 1.53 on pp. 75-76, pl. II.1.53
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
Cornelian; bezel, bevelled towards the front; oval. The inscription is distributed between the central ground, which has the shape of a decorative medallion (A), and the six segments around it (B1-6). Three lines (A) and one (B1, 2, 4 and 5) or two lines (B3 and 6), the reading starting on the top of the right and continuing clockwise. Cursive script; engraved.
A - (1) ' "As God will; ما شاء الله
(2) there is no power except in God"! لا قوة الا بالله
(3) If thou seest me, that I am less than thou in wealth and children.' (Qur. XVIII, 37/39) ان ترن انا اقل منك مالا وولدا
B - (1) Oh One! يا احد
(2a and b) Oh Sufficient in difficulties! يا كافي
المهمات
(3) Oh The Eternal One! يا صمد
(4) Oh Perpetual! يا ابد
(5a and b) Oh Judge of necessities! يا قاضي
الحاجات
(6) Oh The Most Forgiving One! يا غفور
On the ground dots in groups of three. One line follows the shape of the gem.
Notice
Object information may not accurately reflect the actual contents of the original publication, since our online objects contain current information held in our collections database. Click on 'buy this publication' to purchase printed versions of our online publications, where available, or contact the Jameel Study Centre to arrange access to books on our collections that are now out of print.
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