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

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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 four elements, almost equal (I, II, III, IV).

    IV- Brown jasper, in lightly decorated silver setting; bezel; oval. Four lines separated by straight lines formed by elongation of a ligature or return of a final loop. Cursive script; engraved.

    (1) 'God, there is no god but Her, the Living, the Everlasting. Slumber seizes Him not, neither sleep; to Him belongs all that is in
    الله لا اله الا هو الحى القيوم لا تاخذه سنة ولا نوم له ما في
    (2) the heavens and earth. Who is there that shall interced with Him save by His leave?
    السموات وما في الارض من ذا الذى يشفع عنده الا باذنه
    (3) He knows what lies before them and what is after them, and they comprehend not anything of His knowledge save such as He wills.
    يعلم ما بين ايديهم وما خلفهم ولا يحيطون بشئ من علمه الا بما شاء
    (4) 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)
    وسع كرسيه السموات والارض ولا يؤده حفظهما وهو العلى العظيم

    There are dots, isolated or in groups, spread over the ground. Three lines, in places two, follow the shape of the gem.
  • Details

    Associated place
    Asia Iran (probable place of creation)
    Asia India (possible place of purchase)
    Date
    probably 18th - 19th century (1701 - 1900)
    Material and technique
    jasper, incised; silver setting, with incised decoration
    Dimensions
    with setting 2.7 x 4.4 x 1 cm (height x width x depth)
    jasper 2.4 x 3.5 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.
    LI1008.11
  • Further reading

    Kalus, Ludvik, Catalogue of Islamic Seals and Talismans (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1986), no. 2.5.IV on pp. 102-103, pl. II.2.5.iv

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 four elements, almost equal (I, II, III, IV).

    IV- Brown jasper, in lightly decorated silver setting; bezel; oval. Four lines separated by straight lines formed by elongation of a ligature or return of a final loop. Cursive script; engraved.

    (1) 'God, there is no god but Her, the Living, the Everlasting. Slumber seizes Him not, neither sleep; to Him belongs all that is in
    الله لا اله الا هو الحى القيوم لا تاخذه سنة ولا نوم له ما في
    (2) the heavens and earth. Who is there that shall interced with Him save by His leave?
    السموات وما في الارض من ذا الذى يشفع عنده الا باذنه
    (3) He knows what lies before them and what is after them, and they comprehend not anything of His knowledge save such as He wills.
    يعلم ما بين ايديهم وما خلفهم ولا يحيطون بشئ من علمه الا بما شاء
    (4) 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)
    وسع كرسيه السموات والارض ولا يؤده حفظهما وهو العلى العظيم

    There are dots, isolated or in groups, spread over the ground. Three lines, in places two, follow the shape of the gem.
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