Lot 24: AN ISLAMIC CALLIGRAPHIC CARNELIAN INTAGLIO SEAL STONE.
1 view
The red agate features a central oval cartouche containing stylised calligraphic script in the Nasta’liq or Thuluth tradition, surrounded by a broad outer border of further calligraphic inscriptions. The characters are interlaced and decorated with small clusters of dots as space fillers between the vertical strokes. The intaglio carving is deeply incised with softened edges consistent with hand-drilling and manual polishing techniques characteristic of Islamic lapidary arts from the Ottoman, Safavid, or Qajar periods.
Condition report:
The seal stone is in good condition, exhibiting minor surface wear and faint scratches consistent with age and handling (photo 1). There is a small white inclusion or minor chip visible on the left-hand edge of the stone (photo 1). The carved inscriptions remain crisp and well-defined.
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