AN ENGRAVED ROCK CRYSTAL SHI'A AMULET WITH FIGURAL SILVER AND NIELLO SETTING
Possibly Dagestan or Georgia, Caucasus, Central Asia, ca. 1880 - 1920

The octagonal rock crystal amulet with a flat table and engraved at the back in reverse with a typical Shi'a prayer, Nad-e 'Ali, invoking the protection and blessing of the first Shi'a Imam, 'Ali, the coarse, angular calligraphy arranged over three overlapping lines, encased within a zig-zag frame, the rock crystal amulet mounted on a silver and niello setting enhanced with Arabic pseudo-calligraphy around the edges and two stylised figures in the middle of the back, wearing tall conical turbans, reminiscent of the figures depicted on Safavid Kubachi pottery dishes and tiles.

3.5cm x 3cm

37gr.