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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

    Brownish-beig jasper, in lightly decorated silver setting (being element of bracelet); bezel; oval. The inscription is found on the central ground (A) within three concentric oval lines, and on the border (B), surrounded on its outer edge by two oval lines. Two lines in cursive script in the central ground (A), in relief on hatched ground; two lines in cursive script in the border (B), engraved.

    A - (1) 'The Thunder proclaims His praise, ويسبح الرعد بحمده
    (2) and the angels, in awe of Him.' (Qur. XIII, 13) والملائكة من خيفته

    B - '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 the 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)
    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 groups of dots all over the script ground.
  • Details

    Associated place
    Asia India (possible place of creation)
    Asia Iran (possible 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 3.6 x 4.7 x 0.8 cm (height x width x depth)
    jasper 3 x 3.8 cm (height x width)
    0.03 kg (weight)
    Material index
    inorganicmineralsilicaquartz jasper,
    inorganicstonesilicaquartz jasper,
    inorganicstonegemstonequartz jasper,
    Technique index
    formed cast
    Object type index
    No. of items
    1
    Credit line
    Lent by the Bodleian Library, University of Oxford.
    Accession no.
    LI1008.19
  • Further reading

    Kalus, Ludvik, Catalogue of Islamic Seals and Talismans (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1986), no. 1.42 on pp. 70-71, pl. II.1.42

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

    Brownish-beig jasper, in lightly decorated silver setting (being element of bracelet); bezel; oval. The inscription is found on the central ground (A) within three concentric oval lines, and on the border (B), surrounded on its outer edge by two oval lines. Two lines in cursive script in the central ground (A), in relief on hatched ground; two lines in cursive script in the border (B), engraved.

    A - (1) 'The Thunder proclaims His praise, ويسبح الرعد بحمده
    (2) and the angels, in awe of Him.' (Qur. XIII, 13) والملائكة من خيفته

    B - '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 the 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)
    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 groups of dots all over the script ground.
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