A TALISMANIC AND APOTROPAIC STAMPED CLEAR GLASS SEAL WITH SCORPION
PROPERTY FROM A PRIVATE GLYPTOLOGY COLLECTOR
Seljuk Anatolia or Iran, 11th - 12th century

Of circular shape, with rounded profile, the central field of the light blue, clear glass bead cast with the stylised form of a scorpion.

10.10mm x 11.32mm

In the arts of Islam, images of scorpions can be found on a number of artifacts, especially on geomantic manuscripts and brass magic bowls, and they serve a double function, both educational and apotropaic. Following traditional Islamic religious texts, such as the Qur'an and the hadiths, scorpions are very harmful and poisonous creatures, and as such they are considered haram. According to shariatic laws, Muslim believers are even allowed to kill them in the holy sites of pilgrimage of Medina and Mecca, together with only a handful of other animals like crows, kites, mice and rabid dogs. Given their feared status, specific prayers (ruqya) have been formulated for those stung by scorpions, which are often followed by the recitation of the first Quranic sura, Sura al-Fatiha.

Concurrently, the general association of scorpions as embodiment of evil, malice and death in classical Islamic texts becomes reversed in mystic practices. In fact, in Muslim folklore, items bearing the image of a scorpion act as a form of talismanic 'antidote', a protective figural spell against these very animals as well as evil forces. Moreover, in Sufi beliefs, scorpions are recurrent, powerful symbols indicating the ability of Sufi dervishes to master evil and redirect its influence elsewhere. Given the above, it is not surprising that the use of amulets, seals and pendants with the image of scorpions became a widespread practice across the Islamic Lands.