A HEAVY SELJUK CAST AND CHASED GOLD RING WITH INSCRIPTION

A HEAVY SELJUK CAST AND CHASED GOLD RING WITH INSCRIPTION
Ca. 13th-14th century AD . A gold ring of substantial, weighty form and characteristic squared oval profile. The ring displays a striking flat bezel of rectangular shape with raised corners, inscribed in neat Kufic script in relief, reading:??fi? al-?ubb — “Preserver of love.” The shoulders and shank are intricately chased with bold floral and vegetal motifs in high relief, framed by incised registers filled with repeating triangular designs and dense palmette-like patterns. The repoussé and carved decoration extend across the shank, where floral sprays alternate with abstract elements. The robust construction and emphasis on inscription over stone-setting speak to the austere elegance often associated with Seljuk personal adornment. This ring's architectural shape and confident script reflect a visual vocabulary commonly found in Seljuk metalwork, while its inscription suggests it functioned both as a signet and as a talismanic object imbued with emotional resonance. The gold bears traces of wear and minor dents, attesting to prolonged use and likely significance to its original owner.For similar see: Spink & Son, Islamic Rings and Talismans, London, 198. Atil, Esin, Islamic Metalwork in the Freer Gallery of Art, Washington D.C., 1985.Size: D:14.88mm / US: 3 3/4 / UK: H; Weight: 10gProvenance: Property of a London Islamic art specialist collector; previously in a collection formed since the 1980s. This item has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database and comes with a confirmation letter.