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

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

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

Seals

The subject of this catalogue being limited to gems and related objects, the seals described in this chapter are, with one exception, seal-matrices, as opposed to seal-stamps. The latter are impressions of seal-matrices in a soft material, such as paper, clay or wax. Of such seal-stamps, impressions in clay or wax could be included in our catalogue, since their shapes are close to the objects we are dealing with, especially if they are detached from their original documents. Impressions on paper or on a similar material differ in character of their support (official documents, letters, manuscripts, etc.). These are usually preserved in archives or in libraries and cannot, of course, be included in a collection of 'small objects'.

This is the reason why all but one of the seals described here are seal-matrices. In general, Islamic seals are made from those gem stones which have particular virtue for a Muslim in terms of protection [1]. In the collection of the Ashmolean Museum one hundred and nineteen seal-matrices are gems, one is in glass imitating a gem and only ten are in metal.

In the description, the seal-matrices are divided into three groups. By the character of the script, text, or shape, the objects of the first group (I.1) were, or seem to have been, made before the fourteenth century A.D. In the second group (I.2) are included the seals made from the fourteenth century onwards. These differ, in general, from those of the first group because their shape changes, the inscription is often longer and its content different, and for most of them, the script is typical of this period. Moreover, some of the seals are even dated, and so they can be attributed to this group without hesitation. Of course, it may appear that for some of these seals this classification is arbitrary and will perhaps have to be changed, but for most of them this division is quite distinct.

There is a third group containing the metal seals (I.3) [Metal signets].These are less numerous than gem seals because their use in the Islamic world was, until recently, only sporadic. There is only one seal- stamp (i.e. bull) in the collection of the Ashmolean Museum. It is of baked clay and is described in a separate group (I.4) [Bulls].

Seals (in gems and in glass) from the classical period (c. 700-1300 AD)

There are thirty seals included in this group, and although they are not numerous, they are rich in variety. The most frequent gem is cornelian [2], followed by haematite [3]. Four seals are in onyx of different colours [4], three are in garnet [5] and three others in chalcedony[6]. There is also one seal in rock crystal [7].

The gems are for the most part bezels. Cabochons are more rare—there are just seven [8]. The horizontal section of these bezels and cabochons is mostly oval, but eight of them are rectangular [9], one is rectangular with cut angles [10], one is rectangular with rounded sides [11], and one is square [12]. Two seals are set into a silver ring [13].

The inscriptions are invariably on one side of the gem only. Mostly they are arranged in one line, occasionally in two [14] or three [15] lines, and there is one seal which has its inscription in four lines [16]. Two seals with bilinear inscriptions have these two lines arranged in tête-bêche [17]. All but one [18] of the inscriptions are in different varieties of kufic script. The exception is in simple cursive script.

Non-epigraphical decorative motifs are very rare in this group. Five seals have just one star consisting of three short strokes crossed [19] and one seal has a small square without its top side engraved on it [20]. On one of the seals with a bilinear tête-bêche inscription [21] the two lines are separated by a kind of plait.

According to the text of the inscriptions three groups can be distinguished. In the first group (I.1.1) [Seals with religious or moral inscriptions] the inscriptions are strictly religious: one part of the shahāda [22], some short Quranic citations [23] and one short hadīth of the Prophet [24]. In the second group (I.1.2) [Seals with inscriptions containing the name of the owner and a religious formula] the inscriptions consist of the name of the owner together with a religious sentence, expressing the owner’s attachment to God. Finally, in a third group (I.1.3) [Seals with an inscription containing just the name of the owner] there are seals with inscriptions containing a name of the owner only, always without titles. It is just his proper name (ism), sometimes with the name of his father and occasionally with the name of his grandfather [25].

Some of the seals could not be read completely and so it was impossible to include them in any of the three groups. As a result they have been put together in a special group containing seals with uncertain inscriptions (I.1.4) [Seals with uncertain inscriptions].

In general, the group of seals attributed to the classical period is distinguished by its sobriety, its lack of ornamental motifs, and its very short inscriptions.

Seals with religious or moral inscriptions

Oval cabochon seal with kufic inscription (LI902.8) Oval cabochon seal with kufic inscription (LI902.8)    Oval bezel seal with kufic inscription (LI902.9) Oval bezel seal with kufic inscription (LI902.9)    Oval bezel seal with kufic inscription (EA1969.80) Oval bezel seal with kufic inscription (EA1969.80)
Oval bezel seal with kufic inscription (LI1008.78) Oval bezel seal with kufic inscription (LI1008.78)    Oval bezel seal with kufic inscription and plait decoration (EAX.3310) Oval bezel seal with kufic inscription and plait decoration (EAX.3310)

Seals with inscriptions containing the name of the owner and a religious formula

Rectangular bezel seal with kufic inscription (LI897.2) Rectangular bezel seal with kufic inscription (LI897.2)    Oval cabochon seal with kufic inscription and a star (LI902.10) Oval cabochon seal with kufic inscription and a star (LI902.10)    Rectangular bezel seal with kufic inscription (EAX.3303) Rectangular bezel seal with kufic inscription (EAX.3303)

Seals with an inscription containing just the name of the owner

Oval bezel seal with kufic inscription (LI1008.93) Oval bezel seal with kufic inscription (LI1008.93)    Rectangular bezel seal with kufic inscription (LI902.13) Rectangular bezel seal with kufic inscription (LI902.13)    Oval bezel seal with kufic inscription and a star (LI902.14) Oval bezel seal with kufic inscription and a star (LI902.14)
Rectangular bezel seal with kufic inscription and a star (EAX.3450) Rectangular bezel seal with kufic inscription and a star (EAX.3450)    Rectangular bezel seal with kufic inscription (EA1980.23) Rectangular bezel seal with kufic inscription (EA1980.23)    Rectangular cabochon seal with kufic inscription (LI902.15) Rectangular cabochon seal with kufic inscription (LI902.15)
Rectangular cabochon seal with inscription in cursive script and star decoration (EAX.3451) Rectangular cabochon seal with inscription in cursive script and star decoration (EAX.3451)    Oval cabochon seal with kufic inscription (LI902.16) Oval cabochon seal with kufic inscription (LI902.16)    Oval cabochon seal with kufic inscription (LI902.17) Oval cabochon seal with kufic inscription (LI902.17)
Oval bezel seal with kufic inscription (LI1008.94) Oval bezel seal with kufic inscription (LI1008.94)    Rectangular seal ring with kufic inscription (EAX.3099) Rectangular seal ring with kufic inscription (EAX.3099)    Rectangular bezel seal with kufic inscription (EAX.3452) Rectangular bezel seal with kufic inscription (EAX.3452)
Oval cabochon seal with kufic inscription (LI1008.95) Oval cabochon seal with kufic inscription (LI1008.95)    Oval bezel seal with kufic inscription (LI902.11) Oval bezel seal with kufic inscription (LI902.11)    Oval seal ring with kufic inscription, a flower, and a star (EAX.3100) Oval seal ring with kufic inscription, a flower, and a star (EAX.3100)
Oval bezel seal with kufic inscription (LI902.12) Oval bezel seal with kufic inscription (LI902.12)

Seals with uncertain inscriptions

Oval bezel seal with kufic inscription (LI902.18) Oval bezel seal with kufic inscription (LI902.18)    Oval bezel seal with kufic inscription (LI902.19) Oval bezel seal with kufic inscription (LI902.19)    Rectangular bezel seal with kufic inscription (LI902.20) Rectangular bezel seal with kufic inscription (LI902.20)
Rectangular bezel seal with kufic inscription (EA1980.35) Rectangular bezel seal with kufic inscription (EA1980.35)    Rectangular bezel seal with kufic inscription and a star (LI1008.96) Rectangular bezel seal with kufic inscription and a star (LI1008.96)    Rectangular cabochon seal with kufic inscription (LI902.21) Rectangular cabochon seal with kufic inscription (LI902.21)
Seals (in gems and glass) from the post-classical period (c. 1300 A.D. onwards)

There are ninety seals that can be attributed to the post-classical period. In general, with some rare exceptions, it is noticeable that the inscriptions on these seals are longer than earlier examples and that the ground of the script face is very often adorned with floral motifs, almost always schematic.

By far the commonest gem used for these seals is the cornelian. There are also, however, seven seals in chalcedony [26], five seals in jasper [27], three seals in lapis lazuli [28] and in green jade [29]; two seals in onyx [30] and one seal in obsidian [31], rock crystal [32], topaz [33], and amethyst [34]. Finally there is one seal in coloured glass imitating a gem [35]. Two gems are set in a silver ring [36]; one gem is set in a silver setting [37], and one in a gold setting (apparently a pendant)[38]; one other seal is set in a brass signet [39].

From the point of view of shape, all the seals with three exceptions are bezels. As for these exceptions, two gems are cabochons [40] and one is an oval-based truncated cone the body of which is cut in facets [41]. The horizontal section is mostly oval or rectangular with cut angles, less rarely rectangular. Some seals are circular [42] or square [43] and there is one exception which is oval-shaped, pointed on the top [44].

The inscriptions are generally distributed in two lines; if they only contain the name of the owner they are in one line. Three-line inscriptions are much rarer and four-line ones are the exception [45]. The script ground is normally without any division, but sometimes the inscriptions are distributed between a central field and a border or segments [46]. The distribution between several lines is not always very strict and some inscriptions form decorative ensembles. Some of them are to be read from the bottom upwards.

Six seals have inscriptions on both faces. It is interesting to remark that five of them [47] have a different personal name and also a different date on every face indicating that the seal could be re- employed. As for the fifth seal [48], this has a personal name and a date on one face and an engraved bird (ostrich?) on the other face.

The script is mostly cursive and shows several varieties, though a great number of seals are inscribed in nasta'liq. Five seals have their inscriptions in kufic script [49] and one has its inscription in both Arabic and Armenian script [50]. There are also two seals with inscriptions in tughra script [51].

But there is a new element which characterises a great number of seals from this period. Such seals, in addition to an inscription, have a date expressed by four, three or two figures. There is no reading problem if the date expressing the year has four figures. If there are only three figures, normally the figure one has to be added to designate thousands. So too if there are only two figures, but in this latter case the reading is more difficult because of four theoretical possibilities for completing the figure expressing hundreds: it can be zero, one, two or three and this can be decided only according to the general appearance of the seal. The years of course follow the Muslim era, but there is one exception dated according to the Christian era [52]. Whenever a date with two figures appears, it can mean the year of a Great Mughal sovereign’s reign, provided that the seal can be attributed to that period by the appearance of another date in the Muslim era [53].

The oldest dated seal in the collection of the Ashmolean Museum is a seal bearing the year 1083/1672 [54] and the most recent one has the year 1338/1919-20 [55]. All dates are presented chronologically in the Index of Years, at the end of this catalogue.

Most of the seals attributed to the post-classical period are adorned with floral motifs on the script ground. These floral motifs show great variety, ranging from the very schematic to rather naturalistic flower motifs. These motifs can be either isolated, joined to a simple stem, or a spiral scroll, or form a bunch. Sometimes there are simple crosses, stars, or flower heads consisting of points, or simple strokes. Figurative motifs are extremely rare. Two seals show a bird [56] and another shows a quadruped [57].

As was noted for the group of seals from the classical period, there are, roughly speaking, three types of inscriptions in this group. The first group contains inscriptions of a religious character, without the name of the owner (I.2.1) [Seals with religious or moral inscriptions]. These consist of some of the Names of God [58], invocations to Him [59] or some expressions of submission to Him [60]. The Shī'a character of some seals is evident by the presence of invocations to 'Alī [61] or to Husayn [62] sometimes associated with the name of Fātima [63], or by the presence of the names of the twelve Imāms [64].

In the second group (I.2.2) [Seals with inscriptions containing the name of the owner and a religious formula] are seals containing the names of their owners introduced or followed by a short formula of a more or less religious nature. This group is very rich and the variety of inscriptions renders it very interesting. There are again some expressions of submission to God [65] often being just a simple formula His servant ('abdu-hu) [66] or a Persian equivalent of it, Slave (bande), preceding a Name of God [67]. The name of the owner can be introduced by the expression Object of the light (or favour) of God (mazhar-i nūr-i (or lutf-i) ilāhī) the word God being often substituted by a Name of God [68]. Another expression preceding the name of the owner is Receive favourably, God (berāvar ilāhī) which may be extended [69]. Some seals have an inscription containing an invocation to, or mention of, Muhammad the Prophet. This can mean that the name of the owner was Muhammad [70]; the same can be applied to 'AIī [71].

The third group (I.2.3) includes seals containing only the name of their owner. This is often composed of more elements than the names on the seals from the classical period. Some proper names are preceded by honorific titles [72], sometimes a function is designated [73]. Several names include a nisba [74].

There is one seal with an uncertain inscription: this is classified in a fourth group (I.2.4). From the general point of view it is worth noting that in this period the inscriptions are not only in Arabic but also in Persian [75] and in Turkish [76] showing the importance of the development of these two national languages.

Seals with religious or moral inscriptions

Oval bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription and floral decoration (EA1980.28) Oval bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription and floral decoration (EA1980.28)    Oval bezel seal with nasta’liq inscription and floral decoration (EA1980.17) Oval bezel seal with nasta’liq inscription and floral decoration (EA1980.17)    Oval cabochon seal with kufic inscription (LI902.22) Oval cabochon seal with kufic inscription (LI902.22)
Circular bezel seal with inscription in cursive script and star decoration (EA1980.25) Circular bezel seal with inscription in cursive script and star decoration (EA1980.25)    Rectangular bezel seal with inscription in angular script and linear decoration (EAX.3453) Rectangular bezel seal with inscription in angular script and linear decoration (EAX.3453)    Rectangular bezel seal with nasta’liq inscription on both sides (EA1980.24) Rectangular bezel seal with nasta’liq inscription on both sides (EA1980.24)
Oval bezel seal with nasta’liq inscription and linear decoration (EA1980.10) Oval bezel seal with nasta’liq inscription and linear decoration (EA1980.10)    Oval bezel seal with inscription in cursive script and six-pointed stars (EA1980.42) Oval bezel seal with inscription in cursive script and six-pointed stars (EA1980.42)    Rectangular bezel seal with nasta’liq inscription and star decoration (EA1980.34) Rectangular bezel seal with nasta’liq inscription and star decoration (EA1980.34)
Rectangular bezel seal with nasta’liq inscription and floral decoration (EA1980.32) Rectangular bezel seal with nasta’liq inscription and floral decoration (EA1980.32)    Oval signet with kufic inscription (LI897.8) Oval signet with kufic inscription (LI897.8)    Oval cabochon seal with kufic inscription (EAX.3454) Oval cabochon seal with kufic inscription (EAX.3454)
Oval bezel seal with kufic inscription (EAX.3308) Oval bezel seal with kufic inscription (EAX.3308)    Oval seal ring with naskhi inscription (EAX.3314) Oval seal ring with naskhi inscription (EAX.3314)    Oval bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription with floral decoration (LI1008.61) Oval bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription with floral decoration (LI1008.61)

Seals with inscriptions containing the name of the owner and a religious formula

Rectangular bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription and floral decoration (LI1008.109) Rectangular bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription and floral decoration (LI1008.109)    Octagonal bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription and leaf decoration (LI902.23) Octagonal bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription and leaf decoration (LI902.23)    Rectangular bezel seal with nasta’liq inscription and floral decoration on both sides (EA1980.13) Rectangular bezel seal with nasta’liq inscription and floral decoration on both sides (EA1980.13)
Oval bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription and floral decoration (EAX.3306) Oval bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription and floral decoration (EAX.3306)    Square bezel seal with nasta’liq inscription and floral decoration (EA1969.81) Square bezel seal with nasta’liq inscription and floral decoration (EA1969.81)    Circular bezel seal with inscription in cursive script and heart-shaped decoration (EA1969.82) Circular bezel seal with inscription in cursive script and heart-shaped decoration (EA1969.82)
Rectangular bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription and floral decoration (EA1980.29) Rectangular bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription and floral decoration (EA1980.29)    Oval bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription (EA1980.5) Oval bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription (EA1980.5)    Square bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription and spiral decoration (EA1980.26) Square bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription and spiral decoration (EA1980.26)
Tear-drop shaped bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription and floral decoration (EA1980.7) Tear-drop shaped bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription and floral decoration (EA1980.7)    Oval bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription and linear decoration (EA1980.39) Oval bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription and linear decoration (EA1980.39)    Oval bezel seal with nasta’liq inscription and floral decoration (LI1008.110) Oval bezel seal with nasta’liq inscription and floral decoration (LI1008.110)
Rectangular bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription and floral decoration (EA1980.8) Rectangular bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription and floral decoration (EA1980.8)    Octagonal bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription and floral decoration (LI1008.83) Octagonal bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription and floral decoration (LI1008.83)    Rectangular bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription and floral decoration (EA1980.9) Rectangular bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription and floral decoration (EA1980.9)
Octagonal bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription and leaf decoration (LI1008.111) Octagonal bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription and leaf decoration (LI1008.111)    Circular bezel seal with inscription in cursive script, leaf decoration, and a star (EAX.3304) Circular bezel seal with inscription in cursive script, leaf decoration, and a star (EAX.3304)    Octagonal bezel seal with nasta’liq inscription and linear decoration (EA1980.37) Octagonal bezel seal with nasta’liq inscription and linear decoration (EA1980.37)
Octagonal bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription, scroll, and floral decoration (LI1008.112) Octagonal bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription, scroll, and floral decoration (LI1008.112)    Oval bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription and floral decoration (EAX.3305) Oval bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription and floral decoration (EAX.3305)    Octagonal bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription, leaf, and star decoration (EA1980.6) Octagonal bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription, leaf, and star decoration (EA1980.6)
Octagonal bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription and floral decoration (LI902.24) Octagonal bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription and floral decoration (LI902.24)    Octagonal bezel seal with Armenian inscription, cross, leaf, and floral decoration (EA1980.16) Octagonal bezel seal with Armenian inscription, cross, leaf, and floral decoration (EA1980.16)    Oval seal ring with nasta‘liq inscription (LI897.9) Oval seal ring with nasta‘liq inscription (LI897.9)
Oval bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription (EA1980.38) Oval bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription (EA1980.38)    Octagonal bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription and spiral decoration (EA1980.33) Octagonal bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription and spiral decoration (EA1980.33)    Octagonal bezel seal with nasta’liq inscription and spiral decoration (EA1980.31) Octagonal bezel seal with nasta’liq inscription and spiral decoration (EA1980.31)
Octagonal bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription, spiral, and floral decoration (EA1980.18) Octagonal bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription, spiral, and floral decoration (EA1980.18)    Rectangular bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription, scroll decoration, and a bird (EAX.3455) Rectangular bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription, scroll decoration, and a bird (EAX.3455)    Rectangular bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription and spiral decoration (EA1980.21) Rectangular bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription and spiral decoration (EA1980.21)
Oval bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription (EA1980.22) Oval bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription (EA1980.22)    Octagonal bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription (LI1008.113) Octagonal bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription (LI1008.113)    Octagonal bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription, chevron decoration, and a star (LI1008.114) Octagonal bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription, chevron decoration, and a star (LI1008.114)
Rectangular bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription (EAX.3456) Rectangular bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription (EAX.3456)    Octagonal bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription (LI902.25) Octagonal bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription (LI902.25)    Rectangular bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription (LI1008.115) Rectangular bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription (LI1008.115)
Rectangular bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription and floral decoration (LI1008.66) Rectangular bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription and floral decoration (LI1008.66)    Rectangular bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription and floral decoration (LI1008.68) Rectangular bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription and floral decoration (LI1008.68)    Oval bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription, spiral, and floral decoration (EA1980.12) Oval bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription, spiral, and floral decoration (EA1980.12)
Octagonal bezel seal with nasta‘liq and Turkish inscription (LI1008.116) Octagonal bezel seal with nasta‘liq and Turkish inscription (LI1008.116)    Oval bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription (LI1008.56) Oval bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription (LI1008.56)    Oval bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription and floral decoration (LI1008.117) Oval bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription and floral decoration (LI1008.117)
Oval bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription and floral decoration (EA1980.40) Oval bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription and floral decoration (EA1980.40)    Oval bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription and floral decoration (EA1980.4) Oval bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription and floral decoration (EA1980.4)    Rectangular bezel seal with nasta’liq inscription on both sides (LI1008.79) Rectangular bezel seal with nasta’liq inscription on both sides (LI1008.79)
Octagonal bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription (LI1008.118) Octagonal bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription (LI1008.118)    Oval bezel seal with Tughrā inscription (EA1980.36) Oval bezel seal with Tughrā inscription (EA1980.36)    Oval bezel seal with Tughrā inscription and floral decoration (EA1980.27) Oval bezel seal with Tughrā inscription and floral decoration (EA1980.27)

Seals with an inscription containing just the name of the owner

Oval bezel seal with inscription in cursive script and branch decoration (EAX.3457) Oval bezel seal with inscription in cursive script and branch decoration (EAX.3457)    Oval bezel seal with nasta’liq inscription and floral decoration (EA1980.11) Oval bezel seal with nasta’liq inscription and floral decoration (EA1980.11)    Octagonal bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription and floral decoration (LI1008.126) Octagonal bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription and floral decoration (LI1008.126)
Oval bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription, floral decoration, and a quadruped (EAX.3458) Oval bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription, floral decoration, and a quadruped (EAX.3458)    Octagonal bezel seal with nasta’liq inscription and branch decoration (EA1980.20) Octagonal bezel seal with nasta’liq inscription and branch decoration (EA1980.20)    Oval bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription and branch decoration (EAX.3459) Oval bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription and branch decoration (EAX.3459)
Rectangular bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription and spiral decoration (EA1980.30) Rectangular bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription and spiral decoration (EA1980.30)    Conical seal with kufic inscription (EAX.3460) Conical seal with kufic inscription (EAX.3460)    Oval bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription and floral decoration (LI1008.127) Oval bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription and floral decoration (LI1008.127)
Oval bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription (LI1008.119) Oval bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription (LI1008.119)    Rectangular bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription, chevrons, and floral decoration (LI1008.120) Rectangular bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription, chevrons, and floral decoration (LI1008.120)    Square bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription and floral decoration (LI1008.121) Square bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription and floral decoration (LI1008.121)
Oval bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription and floral decoration (LI1008.122) Oval bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription and floral decoration (LI1008.122)    Rectangular bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription and floral decoration (LI1008.123) Rectangular bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription and floral decoration (LI1008.123)    Oval bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription and floral decoration (EA1980.14) Oval bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription and floral decoration (EA1980.14)
Octagonal bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription and floral decoration (LI902.26) Octagonal bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription and floral decoration (LI902.26)    Oval bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription and floral decoration (LI1008.82) Oval bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription and floral decoration (LI1008.82)    Oval bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription and branch decoration (EAX.3444) Oval bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription and branch decoration (EAX.3444)
Rectangular bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription and floral decoration (LI1008.124) Rectangular bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription and floral decoration (LI1008.124)    Oval bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription and floral decoration (EAX.3461) Oval bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription and floral decoration (EAX.3461)    Octagonal bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription and floral decoration (LI902.7) Octagonal bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription and floral decoration (LI902.7)
Oval bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription, floral decoration, and bird, possibly from a pendant (EAX.3462) Oval bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription, floral decoration, and bird, possibly from a pendant (EAX.3462)    Octagonal bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription, garland, and a star (EA1980.19) Octagonal bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription, garland, and a star (EA1980.19)    Rectangular bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription, floral, and spiral decoration (LI1008.128) Rectangular bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription, floral, and spiral decoration (LI1008.128)
Octagonal seal ring with nasta‘liq inscription, branches, and a star (LI897.10) Octagonal seal ring with nasta‘liq inscription, branches, and a star (LI897.10)    Octagonal bezel seal with naskhi inscription and linear decoration (LI1008.125) Octagonal bezel seal with naskhi inscription and linear decoration (LI1008.125)    Rectangular bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription and floral decoration (LI1008.45) Rectangular bezel seal with nasta‘liq inscription and floral decoration (LI1008.45)

Seals with uncertain inscriptions

Circular bezel seal with naskhi inscription and plait decoration (LI902.28) Circular bezel seal with naskhi inscription and plait decoration (LI902.28)

Metal signets

In the two previous groups, some of the gem seals are set in a metal ring or have a metal setting, and it is quite certain that this was originally the case with a great many of them. There is also, however, a group of seals bearing an inscription engraved directly on a metal surface, the latter being either the enlarged surface of a ring or the base of a signet with a rigid or folding handle. In the Ashmolean Museum collection there are ten seals of this type. One of them is a simple circular plaquette with slightly rounded inferior face, the seal of an Englishman from India and dated A.D. 1698 (in ‘western’ figures) [77].

The metal employed for these seals is gold, bronze or brass. This group is rather heterogeneous and there are different types of inscription texts. There are five dated signets of brass of the same type dated between 1318/1900 and 1331/1913; these are signets of Turkish Coast-guards [78].

Seal ring with kufic inscription (EAX.3092) Seal ring with kufic inscription (EAX.3092)    Rectangular signet with kufic inscription (LI897.11) Rectangular signet with kufic inscription (LI897.11)    Octagonal signet with nasta’liq inscription and floral decoration (LI897.12) Octagonal signet with nasta’liq inscription and floral decoration (LI897.12)
Circular plaquette with nasta‘liq inscription and floral decoration (LI897.13) Circular plaquette with nasta‘liq inscription and floral decoration (LI897.13)    Oval signet with inscription in cursive script (EAX.3445) Oval signet with inscription in cursive script (EAX.3445)    Oval signet with inscription in cursive script (EAX.3446) Oval signet with inscription in cursive script (EAX.3446)
Oval signet with inscription in cursive script (EAX.3447) Oval signet with inscription in cursive script (EAX.3447)    Oval signet with inscription in cursive script (EAX.3448) Oval signet with inscription in cursive script (EAX.3448)    Oval signet with inscription in cursive script (EAX.3449) Oval signet with inscription in cursive script (EAX.3449)
Oval signet with nasta‘liq inscription and floral decoration (EA1980.3) Oval signet with nasta‘liq inscription and floral decoration (EA1980.3)

Bulls

There is only one bull in the collection of the Ashmolean Museum.

Oval sealing with kufic inscription and star decoration (EAX.3463) Oval sealing with kufic inscription and star decoration (EAX.3463)

References

[1] For more details about the specific virtues of gems used for seals see, for instance, M. REINAUD, Monumens arabes, persans et turcs, du cabinet de M. le duc Blacas et d’autres cabinets, I, Paris, 1828, pp.9-15. For more bibliography, see article ḥadjar, in E.I2

[2] Nos. I.1.4 [LI1008.78], I.2.3 [EAX.3303], I.3.3 [LI902.14], I.3.5 [EA1980.23], I.3.6 [LI902.15], I.3.16 [LI902.12], I.4.1 [LI902.18], I.4.2 [LI902.19], I.4.3 [LI902.20], I.4.4 [EA1980.35], I.4.5 [LI1008.96] and I.4.6 [LI902.21].

[3] Nos. I.1.5 [EAX.3310], I.2.1 [LI897.2], I.3.2 [LI902.13], I.3.4 [EAX.3450], I.3.10 [LI1008.94], I.3.11 [EAX.3099], and I.3.15 [EAX.3100].

[4] Nos I.1.2 [LI902.9], I.3.1 [LI1008.93], I.3.11 [EAX.3099] and I.3.14 [LI902.11].

[5] Nos I.1.1 [LI902.8], I.2.2 [LI902.10] and I.3.8 [LI902.16]

[6] Nos. I.3.7 [EAX.3451], I.3.9 [LI902.17] and I.3.13 [LI1008.95].

[7] No. I.1.3 [EA1969.80].

[8] Nos. I.1.1 [LI902.8], I.2.2 [LI902.10], I.3.6 [LI902.15], I.3.8 [LI902.16], I.3.9 [LI902.17], I.3.11 [EAX.3099] and I.3.13 [LI1008.95].

[9] Nos. I.2.3 [EAX.3303], I.3.2 [LI902.13], I.3.4 [EAX.3450], I.3.7 [EAX.3451], I.3.11 [EAX.3099], I.4.3 [LI902.20], I.4.5 [LI1008.96] and I.4.6 [LI902.21].

[10] No. I.2.1 [LI897.2].

[11] No. I.3.5 [EA1980.23].

[12] No. I.4.4 [EA1980.35].

[13] Nos. I.3.11 [EAX.3099] and I.3.15 [EAX.3100].

[14] Nos. I.3.6 [LI902.15], I.3.11 [EAX.3099] and I.3.15 [EAX.3100].

[15] Nos. I.2.1 [LI897.2], I.2.3 [EAX.3303], I.3.11 [EAX.3099], I.4.1 [LI902.18], I.4.3 [LI902.20], I.4.5 [LI1008.96] and I.4.6 [LI902.21].

[16] No. I.1.4 [LI1008.78].

[17] Nos. I.1.5 [EAX.3310] and I.4.4 [EA1980.35].

[18] No. I.3.7 [EAX.3451].

[19] Nos. I.2.2 [LI902.10], I.3.3 [LI902.14], I.3.4 [EAX.3450], I.3.7 [EAX.3451] and I.4.5 [LI1008.96].

[20] No. I.3.15 [EAX.3100].

[21] No. I.1.5 [EAX.3310].

[22] No. I.1.1 [LI902.8].

[23] No. I.1.2 [LI902.9]: Qur. IX, 130/129 and XXXIX, 39/38 (uncertain reading); no. I.1.3 [EA1969.80]: Qur. II, 131/137; no. I.1.4 [LI1008.78]: Qur. CXII.

[24] No. I.1.5 [EAX.3310].

[25] Nos. I.3.15 [EAX.3100] and I.3.16 [LI902.12].

[26] Nos 2.1.5 [EAX.3453], 2.1.12 [EAX.3454], 2.2.1 [LI1008.109], 2.2.17 [EAX.3304], 2.2.19 [LI1008.112], 2.2.20 [EAX.3305] and 2.2.40 [LI1008.116].           

[27] Nos. 2.2.4 [EAX.3306], 2.2.36 [LI1008.115], 2.3.5 [EA1980.20], 2.3.6 [EAX.3459] and 2.3.25 [LI897.10].     

[28] Nos. 2.2.35 [LI902.25], 2.3.8 [EAX.3460] and 2.3.21 [LI902.7].      

[29] Nos. 2.2.21 [EA1980.6], 2.2.39 [EA1980.12] and 2.4.1 [LI902.28].

[30] Nos. 2.1.11 [LI897.8] and 2.3.22 [EAX.3462].

[31] No. 2.3.20 [EAX.3461].   

[32] No. 2.2.29 [EAX.3455].   

[33] No 2.2.16 [LI1008.111]. 

[34] No. 2.1.3 [LI902.22].       

[35] No. 2.1.2 [EA1980.17]. 

[36] Nos. 2.1.14 [EAX.3314] and 2.2.24 [LI897.9].          

[37] No. 2.3.4 [EAX.3458].

[38] No. 2.3.22 [EAX.3462]. 

[39] No. 2.1.11 [LI897.8].

[40] No. 2.1.3 [LI902.22] and 2.1.12 [EAX.3454].

[41] No. 2.3.8 [EAX.3460].

[42] Nos. 2.1.4 [EA1980.25], 2.2.6 [EA1969.82], 2.2.17 [EAX.3304] and 2.4.1 [LI902.28].

[43] Nos. 2.2.5 [EA1969.81], 2.2.9 [EA1980.26] and 2.3.12 [LI1008.121].

[44] No. 2.2.10 [EA1980.7].

[45] Nos. 2.2.17 [EAX.3304], 2.2.20 [EAX.3305], 2.2.21 [EA1980.6] and 2.2.35 [LI902.25].

[46] Nos. 2.1.12 [EAX.3454], 2.2.13 [EA1980.8], 2.2.17 [EAX.3304] and 2.2.18 [EA1980.37].

[47] Nos. 2.1.6 [EA1980.24], 2.2.3 [EA1980.13], 2.2.23 [EA1980.16], 2.2.29 [EAX.3455] and 2.2.45 [LI1008.79].

[48] No. 2.3.22 [EAX.3462].

[49] Nos. 2.1.3 [LI902.22], 2.1.11 [LI897.8], 2.1.12 [EAX.3454], 2.1.13 [EAX.3308] and 2.3.8 [EAX.3460].

[50] No. 2.3.23 [EA1980.19].

[51] Nos. 2.2.47 [EA1980.36] and 2.2.48 [EA1980.27].

[52] No. 2.3.20 [EAX.3461].

[53] Nos. 2.2.36 [LI1008.115] and 2.3.12 [LI1008.121].

[54] No. 2.2.20 [EAX.3305]. 

[55] No. 2.1.2 [EA1980.17].

[56] Nos. 2.2.29 [EAX.3455] and 2.3.22 [EAX.3462].

[57] No. 2.3.4 [EAX.3458].

[58] Nos. 2.1.1 [EA1980.28] and 2.1.2 [EA1980.17].

[59] No. 2.1.6 [EA1980.24].

[60] Nos. 2.1.3 [LI902.22], 2.1.4 [EA1980.25] and 2.1.5 [EAX.3453].

[61] Nos. 2.1.6 [EA1980.24] and 2.1.8 [EA1980.42].

[62] Nos. 2.1.9 [EA1980.34] and 2.1.10 [EA1980.32].

[63] No. 2.1.14 [LI1008.83]

[64] Nos. 2.1.11 [LI897.8], 2.1.12 [EAX.3454] and 2.1.13 [EAX.3308].

[65] Nos. 2.2.1 [LI1008.109], 2.2.2 [LI902.23] and 2.2.3 [EA1980.13].

[66] Nos. 2.2.1 [LI1008.109], 2.2.2 [LI902.23], 2.2.3 [EA1980.13], 2.2.4 [EAX.3306], 2.2.5 [EA1969.81], 2.2.6 [EA1969.82], 2.2.7 [EA1980.29], 2.2.8 [EA1980.5], 2.2.9 [EA1980.26], 2.2.10 [EA1980.7], 2.2.11 [EA1980.39], 2.2.12 [LI1008.110], 2.2.13 [EA1980.8], 2.2.14 [LI1008.83], 2.2.15 [EA1980.9], 2.2.16 [LI1008.111], 2.2.17 [EAX.3304], 2.2.18 [EA1980.37], 2.2.26 [EA1980.33] and 2.2.27 [EA1980.31].

[67] Nos. 2.2.19 [LI1008.112], 2.2.20 [EAX.3305], 2.2.21 [EA1980.6], 2.2.22 [LI902.24] and 2.2.23 [EA1980.16].

[68] Nos. 2.2.25 [EA1980.38], 2.2.26 [EA1980.33], 2.2.27 [EA1980.31], 2.2.28 [EA1980.18] and 2.2.29 [EAX.3455].

[69] Nos. 2.2.31 [EA1980.22], 2.2.32 [LI1008.113], 2.2.33 [LI1008.114] and 2.2.34 [EAX.3456].

[70] Nos. 2.2.36 [LI1008.115] and 2.2.37 [LI1008.66].

[71] Nos. 2.2.29 [EAX.3455] and 2.2.42 [LI1008.117].

[72] Nos. 2.3.10 [LI1008.119], 2.2.23 [EA1980.16] and 2.3.27 [LI1008.45].

[73] No. 2.3.14 [LI1008.123] and also 2.2.16 [LI1008.111].

[74] No. 2.3.24 [LI1008.128] and also 2.2.14 [LI1008.83], 2.2.15 [EA1980.9], 2.2.17 [EAX.3304] and 2.2.43 [EA1980.40].

[75] Nos. 2.1.15 [LI1008.61], 2.2.18 [EA1980.37], 2.2.19 [LI1008.112], 2.2.20 [EAX.3305], 2.2.21 [EA1980.6], 2.2.22 [LI902.24], 2.2.23 [EA1980.16], 2.2.24 [LI897.9], 2.2.25 [EA1980.38], 2.2.26 [EA1980.33], 2.2.27 [EA1980.31], 2.2.28 [EA1980.18], 2.2.29 [EAX.3455], 2.2.30 [EA1980.21], 2.2.31 [EA1980.22], 2.2.32 [LI1008.113], 2.2.33 [LI1008.114], 2.2.34 [EAX.3456], 2.2.36 [LI008.115], 2.2.37 [LI1008.66], 2.2.38 [LI1008.68], 2.2.39 [EA1980.12], 2.2.41 [LI1008.56], 2.2.44 [EA1980.4], 2.2.45 [LI1008.79], 2.2.46 [LI1008.118], 2.3.10 [LI1008.119] and 2.3.14 [LI1008.123].

[76] No. 2.2.40 [LI1008.116]

[77] No. 3.4 [LI897.13].

[78] Nos. 3.4-3.9 [EAX.3445, EAX.3446, EAX.3447, EAX.3448, and EAX.3449]

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