Bidspirit auction | A PERSIAN QAJAR ENGRAVED AND

A PERSIAN QAJAR ENGRAVED AND GILDED BRASS TALISMANIC NAIL, 19TH CENTURY OR LATER. - A Persian talismanic peg or nail of rectangular section, tapering towards one end into a flattened, wedge-like point. The square-cut end features a single circular perforation intended for suspension or attachment. The object is crafted from a copper alloy, likely brass, and features finely engraved calligraphic inscriptions and numerical magic squares (wafq) across all four faces. The recessed areas of the script and geometric borders retain traces of yellow-coloured gilding or inlay, contrasting with the dark, naturally aged patina of the metal ground. The calligraphic content is rendered in a combination of Arabic and Persian naskh and nastaliq scripts characteristic of the Qajar period. One face commences with the Basmala and continues with Quranic verses from Surah al-A'raf (7:54) regarding the sun, moon, and stars. Another face features an invocation to Allah and mentions the Prophet Sulayman (Solomon). The third face contains the Shahada and further divine invocations for protection. The final face features inscriptions in Persian script specifically mentioning protection for children (farzandan), wealth (mal), and friends (dustan). Such objects were traditionally utilised in the Persianate world as foundation pegs or domestic amulets to ward off the evil eye and malevolent spirits. L: Approximately 15.5cm