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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

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