A TALISMANIC ARMBAND AND TWO FURTHER ROCK CRYSTAL INTAGLIOS
Iran and India, 19th century

Comprising a deep chestnut carnelian of flat oval shape, finely engraved with the Al Fatiha (Sura 1, Qur'an) in the centre, within an outer band engraved with Sura 97 (Al Qadr), set in steel frame and with hinged cut-steel fastenings, the stone 3.2cm x 4.3cm, 3.2cm x 8.4cm x 0.7cm; a stepped octagonal rock crystal intaglio, engraved in nasta’liq script with Sura 13 (Al Saf) within a lobed cartouche, 4.1cm x 4.2cm x 0.8cm; and another rock crystal intaglio, smaller, engraved with Sura 40 (Al Ghafir), 3cm x 3.6cm x 0.4cm.