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Talismanic Scroll

11th century
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 454
Centuries before block printing was introduced in Europe, the technique was used in the Islamic world to produce miniature texts consisting of prayers, incantations, and Qur'anic verses that were kept in amulet boxes. The text on this amulet is in the angular kufic script. The six-pointed star, a familiar symbol in Islamic art, is usually called "Solomon's seal."

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Talismanic Scroll
  • Date: 11th century
  • Geography: Attributed to Egypt
  • Medium: Ink on paper; block-printed
  • Dimensions: H. 9 1/16 in. (23 cm)
    W. 3 5/16 in. (8.4 cm)
  • Classification: Codices
  • Credit Line: Gift of Nelly, Violet and Elie Abemayor, in memory of Michel Abemayor, 1978
  • Object Number: 1978.546.32
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

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