OTTOMAN A gold religious talisman or amulet, probably 12th/18th century Of teardrop form, with a central medallion surrounded by four concentric rings divided into nineteen cells: Outer margin: al-malik – al-‘azim – al-jabbar – al-mutakabbir – al-muhaymin – al-qahhar – al-‘ali – al-kabir – al-muta‘ali – al-qadir – al-muqtadir – al-hakam – al-‘adil – al-hasib – al-halim – al-‘aziz – al-khabir – al-mudhil – al-mustaqim Third margin: (in individual letters): bismillah al-rahman al-rahim. Second margin: (in individual letters): fard - hay - qayyum - hakam - ‘adl – quddus. Inner margin: (in individual letters): alif, waw, mim, kaf, alif, nun, mim, ya, ta, alif, fa, alif, ya, ya, nun, alif, ha (undeciphered) In centre: (unread) Weight: 9.58g Dimensions (max): 52.8 x 47.0mm References: cf Arabic and Persian Seals and Amulets in the British Museum A135, for an object with similar legends Hairline split, and two or three old repairs, very fine overall and a rare and unusual piece. Provenance: Stated to have been acquired by the vendor’s mother when travelling in Cairo during the 1950s.

Estimate: GBP 2000 - 4000