A JADE INTAGLIO SEAL SET INTO A MODERN GOLD RING SHANK
Central Asia or Iran, the seal 15th - 16th century, the setting late 20th century

A JADE INTAGLIO SEAL SET INTO A MODERN GOLD RING SHANK
Central Asia or Iran, the seal 15th - 16th century, the setting late 20th century

The green hardstone seal of circular shape, engraved in four alternating square calligraphic cartouches, the centre of the seal encrusted at a later stage with a gold stellar motif with a cabochon turquoise bead in the middle, the gold setting engraved with thin zig-zag fretwork bands and the circular shank encrusted with turquoise paste and beads, the seal 1.8cm diam., the full ring approximately 3cm high.

Inscription:

بسم الله الرحمن الرحیم
ناد علیا مظهر العجایب
احده اونا لک فی نوایب
کل هم و غم سینجلی
بولایتک یا علی یا علی یا علی

This is a renowned Shi'a supplication to God in the name of his Prophet Muhammad and his friend (wali) Ali, also known as Nad-e Ali, extracted from a Hadith Ghodsi (Sacred Sayings) in which it is said that on the day of the Battle of Uhud (23 March 625 AD), the Prophet told the Muslims to call for help from Ali by his wilayat, O Ali, O Ali, O Ali, when facing calamities, worries or grief.

Dimensions: the seal 1.8cm diam.