Lot 243: AN ENGRAVED SILVER PERSIAN TALISMANIC SUFI AMULET, ZAND OR QAJAR, 18TH - 19TH CENTURY

Featuring a scalloped perimeter and twin integrated suspension loops at the top. The obverse is intricately hand-engraved with dense Arabic calligraphic script. A central square register contains a five-by-five magic square (Wafq) grid, with each cell containing individual Arabic characters or numerals, including yā (ی), ṭā (ط), and rā (ر). This central panel is flanked by vertical columns of script and set between horizontal bands of flowing calligraphic text. The decorative field is enclosed within a double-line and dashed border that follows the contoured outline of the piece. The reverse is plain with a slightly convex surface, showing visible hand-tooling marks and five small folded metal tabs at the lower edges, indicating it may have served as the face of a larger box-amulet. This style of silver jewellery is characteristic of the Maghreb region of North Africa, particularly Morocco, where such items were common within both Islamic and Jewish communities. The use of the magic square is a common feature in regional talismanic traditions, intended to provide spiritual protection or bring good fortune to the wearer.

L: 8cm