Early Islamic Garnet Intaglio Ring
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A rare early Islamic garnet intaglio ring, centred on an octagonal carved garnet seal stone engraved with Kufic script. The intaglio itself likely dates to the early Islamic period, circa 10th century, while the present silver ring mount appears to be later, probably dating from the 16th–18th century.The garnet is cut in a small octagonal form, its deep red body colour appearing almost black in low light before flashing crimson where the light passes through the stone. The engraved face carries a short inscription in angular Kufic script, the early Arabic script form widely used for religious, administrative and personal seal inscriptions across the medieval Islamic world. It is best understood as an inscribed personal or devotional seal.The stone is set in a simple closed silver bezel, raised slightly above a fine rounded silver band. The restraint of the later mount allows the much earlier carved garnet to remain the focus, preserving the character of the intaglio while making it wearable as a ring today. Pieces of this type were originally functional objects as well as jewels, used to impress a personal inscription into wax or clay, and often carried a protective or devotional significance.The ring is made in silver and weighs 1.51g. It is a UK size N / US 6.75. The garnet measures approximately 8 × 5 × 4mm. The ring is in good antique condition, with age-related wear to the garnet, surface abrasions, patina to the silver, and minor irregularity to the handmade mount. The stone is secure and the ring remains wearable with appropriate care.A rare and characterful early Islamic Kufic garnet intaglio ring, combining an 10th century carved seal stone with a later silver mount.
A rare early Islamic garnet intaglio ring, centred on an octagonal carved garnet seal stone engraved with Kufic script. The intaglio itself likely dates to the early Islamic period, circa 10th century, while the present silver ring mount appears to be later, probably dating from the 16th–18th century.
The garnet is cut in a small octagonal form, its deep red body colour appearing almost black in low light before flashing crimson where the light passes through the stone. The engraved face carries a short inscription in angular Kufic script, the early Arabic script form widely used for religious, administrative and personal seal inscriptions across the medieval Islamic world. It is best understood as an inscribed personal or devotional seal.
The stone is set in a simple closed silver bezel, raised slightly above a fine rounded silver band. The restraint of the later mount allows the much earlier carved garnet to remain the focus, preserving the character of the intaglio while making it wearable as a ring today. Pieces of this type were originally functional objects as well as jewels, used to impress a personal inscription into wax or clay, and often carried a protective or devotional significance.
The ring is made in silver and weighs 1.51g. It is a UK size N / US 6.75. The garnet measures approximately 8 × 5 × 4mm. The ring is in good antique condition, with age-related wear to the garnet, surface abrasions, patina to the silver, and minor irregularity to the handmade mount. The stone is secure and the ring remains wearable with appropriate care.
A rare and characterful early Islamic Kufic garnet intaglio ring, combining an 10th century carved seal stone with a later silver mount.
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