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Selections of Arabic, Persian, and Ottoman Calligraphy
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Shi'i stamped amulet
AUTHOR/CREATOR
Calligrapher: unknown
CREATED/PUBLISHED
19th century
NOTES
Dimensions of Written Surface: 16.5 (w) x 21 (h) cm
Script: Indian naskh
This stamped amulet was probably made for a Shi'i patron in 19th-century India. Executed on a very thin white paper, the amulet comprises a number of magic squares, Qur'anic verses, and divine or holy names all intended to bring good luck or provide protection to its owner.
In the outer rectangular frame appears ayat al-kursi (the Throne Verse), verse 255 of the 2nd chapter of the Qur'an entitled Surat al-Baqarah (The Cow). It is often found on talismanic objects. The words to ayat al-kursi are inscribed within medallion-like panels and read:
In the name of God, the Beneficent, the Merciful. / God, there is no God but He, / The Living, the Self-subsisting, the Eternal. / No slumber can seize Him, nor sleep. / All things in heaven and earth are His. / Who could intercede in His presence without His permission? / He knows what appears in front of and behind His creatures. / Nor can they encompass any knowledge of Him except what He wills. / His throne extends over the heavens and the earth, / and He feels no fatigue in guarding and preserving them, / for He is the Highest and Most Exalted. / God, the Most High, speaks the truth.
In the upper portion of the amulet appear two squares inscribed with magic numbers. The dome and two flanking minarets of a mosque are represented in the top center rectangle, along with the combined letters ta-ha (t-h) and ya-sin (y-s). These mysterious letters stand for two chapters, or surahs, of the Qur'an (20 and 36). In the central horizontal panel appears the double-edged sword of 'Ali, the Prophet's son-in-law, and invocations to God ("Ya huwa," or "Oh He/God"). Two concentric circles with a central flower are inscribed in the lowest central square. This circle contains God's name in its center (Allah) and several of His so-called Beautiful Names (al-asma' al-husnah). In each of the four corners around the circle's perimeter appear the names of the angels Jibra'il (Gabriel), Mika'il (Michael), 'Azra'il (the Angel of Death), and Israfil (the Angel of the Trumpet).
SUBJECT
Indian naskh
Islamic manuscripts
Islamic calligraphy
Illuminated Islamic manuscripts
Arabic calligraphy
Arabic script calligraphy
MEDIUM
17.7 (w) x 23.2 (h) cm
CALL NUMBER
1-92-154.195
REPOSITORY
Library of Congress, African and Middle Eastern Division, Washington, D.C. 20540
DIGITAL ID
ascs 243
http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.amed/ascs.243
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