Lot 150: AN ENGRAVED SILVER PERSIAN TALISMANIC SUFI AMULET, ZAND OR QAJAR, 18TH CENTURY

An Islamic talismanic amulet or ghila, fashioned as a circular brooch in silver-coloured metal. The obverse features a central three-by-three magic square, known as a Wafq, containing Eastern Arabic numerals (٤, ٩, ٢; ٣, ٥, ٧; ٨, ١, ٦) which sum to fifteen in every row, column, and diagonal. This square is enclosed within an eight-pointed star, or Khatam Suleiman (Seal of Solomon), formed by two overlapping squares. The surrounding points and borders are engraved with Arabic script. The inscriptions identify the four archangels: Jibra’il (Gabriel), Mika’il (Michael), Israfil (Raphael), and ‘Azra’il (Azrael). The lower border includes the Quranic phrase "وبالحق انزلناه" (And with truth we sent it down), which is traditionally used in talismanic contexts for spiritual protection.

Diameter: 5.5cm 

Weight: 62g