INDIA OR IRAN, 17TH/18TH CENTURY

Details

TWO INSCRIBED AGATE TALISMANS
INDIA OR IRAN, 17TH/18TH CENTURY
One, of broad inverted drop-shape finely carved with a stylised floral spray, encompassing a nasta'liq inscription, in the flowerhead the words nasr min Allah wa fath qarib, around this a border with tiny naskh inscription, the other of rectangular form with cut corners, decorated with 16 smaller rectangles with a border around, all filled with delicate nasta'liq calligraphy, remains of gilding, mounted as a belt buckle
1 5/8in. (4.1cm.) and 2in. (5cm.) at longest (2)

Special notice

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Lot Essay

The drop-shaped example is inscribed on the central flower with sura al-saff, (LXI), pt. v.13. The leaves below have invocations to God, Muhammmad and 'Ali. The border contains sura al-kafirun (CIX) and sura al-ikhlas (CXII) complete.

The truncated rectangular talisman contains the Throne Verse from the Qur'an, sura al-baqara, (II), v.255 written in an unusual layout. One part of this contains traces of gold in the engraved lettering. It is probable that the entire talisman was originally inlaid with gold.

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