Description:

A CALLIGRAPHIC INSCRIBED EMERALD RING, 19TH CENTURY, PERSIA
Qajar Iran, 19th century

Description:
A gold ring set with a rectangular emerald intaglio, engraved with Arabic inscription in elegant naskh script. The inscription likely includes a protective invocation or personal benediction. The emerald is cut with gently bevelled edges and retains a bright, translucent green hue. The gold mount is plain and functional, designed to accentuate the importance of the engraved stone.

The ring is in good condition, with minor abrasions to the stone’s surface and light wear to the gold mount consistent with age. The overall aesthetic reflects the Qajar preference for personal adornment that combines luxury with devotional significance.

Dimensions:
Internal Diameter: 2cm
Length of Stone: 1.8cm
Weight: 11g

Comparable examples:

  • A Qajar gold ring set with an emerald intaglio, Sotheby’s, Arts of the Islamic World, London, 24 April 2019, Lot 81, sold for £4,750.

  • A 19th-century emerald-inscribed gold ring, Bonhams, Islamic and Indian Art, London, 10 April 2013, Lot 89, sold for £4,200.

  • A comparable example in the al-Sabah Collection, published in Treasures of the Mughal World, Keene and Kaoukji, 2001.

Note:
In the Islamic world, emeralds were believed to offer divine protection and insight, and were among the most revered stones in Qajar Iran. When paired with gold — itself a symbol of power and refinement — and inscribed with sacred text, such rings became potent expressions of faith, identity, and status. This piece is a representative example of devotional jewellery from the Qajar courtly tradition.

 

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May 6, 2025 1:00 PM BST
London, United Kingdom

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