Lot 43: A LARGE ISLAMIC ENGRAVED CARNELIAN AGATE AMULET PLAQUE WITH ARABIC CALLIGRAPHY.
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A rectangular carnelian agate amulet plaque, featuring a hand-engraved face and a polished, banded reverse. The face of the plaque is densely carved in intaglio with Arabic script arranged in four horizontal registers. These registers are separated by fine, straight incised lines. The calligraphy appears to be in a formal Naskh or Thuluth style, common in Islamic talismanic traditions. The lower-left corner of the plaque contains a triangular field decorated with miniature five-petalled floral rosettes. Similar small floral motifs are interspersed throughout the calligraphic text as decorative space-fillers. The engraving is deep and precise, with a matte finish within the cuts that contrasts against the polished surface of the stone.
Condition report:
The carved face remains in very good condition with the calligraphy and floral details clearly defined. There is a small amount of white residue or surface debris settled within the deeper recesses of the engraved characters (photo 1). The edges and corners exhibit minor flea bites and micro-chipping consistent with age and handling (photo 2). The reverse polished surface shows fine, light hairline surface scratches and abrasions (photo 3), but there are no structural cracks or major chips to the body of the agate.
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