Bidspirit auction | AN INDO-PERSIAN CARNELIAN TALISMANIC PLAQUE

AN INDO-PERSIAN CARNELIAN TALISMANIC PLAQUE WITH QURANIC INSCRIPTIONS. - This circular carnelian talismanic plaque, or lowh, is an example of Islamic devotional art from the 19th or early 20th century. The piece is fashioned from a red-orange chalcedony stone featuring natural concentric banding, which is clearly visible on the reverse in an eye-agate pattern. The front surface is finely engraved with intaglio micro-calligraphy in Naskh script, with the incisions filled with a white pigment to enhance legibility. The calligraphic programme is arranged in a central roundel surrounded by four concentric bands. The central roundel contains the Quranic verse Nasr min Allah wa fathun qarib (Victory from Allah and an imminent conquest) from Surah As-Saff (61:13). The concentric bands feature a traditional protective configuration including the Ayat al-Kursi (The Throne Verse, Quran 2:255) and the Four Quls: Surah Al-Kafirun (109), Surah Al-Ikhlas (112), Surah Al-Falaq (113), and Surah An-Nas (114). The engraving style is characteristic of the Persianate world, frequently produced in Qajar Iran or post-Mughal India for use as protective amulets. Approximately 10.3 x 9.6cm