Post-Safavid Islamic Intaglio Ring

This unusual heavy ring dates to just after the end of the Safavid period, circa 1750 to 1800. The ring is crafted with a large inverted cone pie-dish bezel, typical of the Safavid period, and features, granulated spheres, a tapering shank and a vestigial sprued bottom. The seal is made of red glass and engraved in cursive Persian ‘nasta’līq’ calligraphy.

UK size P, US size 7.5

The ring weighs an impressive 23.27 grams. It is unmarked but tests as high-grade silver. The ring protrudes 1.5cm from the finger. The stone measures 18mm x 12mm.

For referenced seals in the British Museum see item 407, 575 and 465 in ‘Arabic and Persian Seals and Amulets in the British Museum’ (Porter, 2011). 

For British Museum seals: https://www.islamicmanuscripts.info/reference/books/Porter-2011-Arabic-Persian-seals-amulets-BM.pdf