ticketsMember | Make a donation

Seal Ring with Inscription

late 15th–early 16th century
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 455
This magnificent gold ring holds a jade stone engraved with religious verses known as the Nad-i 'Ali, an invocation to 'Ali ibn Abi Talib, son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad. The text is written in mirror reverse, suggesting that the stone may once have served as a seal. Further tiny poetic inscriptions—in cartouches around the golden bezel—contain prayerlike verses, perhaps invested with apotropaic qualities, placed there to ensure the safety of its wearer.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Seal Ring with Inscription
  • Date: late 15th–early 16th century
  • Geography: Attributed to Iran or Central Asia
  • Medium: Gold, cast and chased; nephrite, carved
  • Dimensions: H.1 3/8 in. (3.5 cm)
    Diam. 1 in. (2.5 cm)
  • Classification: Jewelry
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1912
  • Object Number: 12.224.6
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Seal Ring with the Name of Hajji Muhammad ibn Mahmud, Bezel: lapis-lazuli; carved<br/>Shank: silver; worked, gilded, and with black inlay
Seal Ring with the Name of Hajji Muhammad ibn Mahmud
probably 16th century
Fragment of a Kaftan Back, Silk, metal wrapped thread; taqueté (seraser)
Fragment of a Kaftan Back
mid-16th century
Bracelet with Snake-Head Endings and Arabic Inscription, One of a Pair, Silver; cast and chased
Bracelet with Snake-Head Endings and Arabic Inscription, One of a Pair
15th century
Bracelet with Snake-Head Endings and Arabic Inscription, One of a Pair, Silver; cast and chased
Bracelet with Snake-Head Endings and Arabic Inscription, One of a Pair
15th century
Seal Stone, Nephrite
Seal Stone
late 15th–early 16th century

Related Content

Perspectives

Articles, audio, and video from The Met's online magazine.

Timeline of Art History

Entries from The Met's art encyclopedia.

Publications

Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.

Showing 4 of 5

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.