Persia (?). Anonymous, circa 13th century AH / 19th century AD. Amulet (Bronze, 92x69 mm, 96.86 g). Concentric layout. Central field inscribed with bism Allāh al-raḥmān al-raḥīm followed by the opening of Āyat al-Kursī (Qurʾān 2:255): Allāh lā ilāha illā huwa al-ḥayy al-qayyūm. (‘In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. Allah! There is no deity but He, the Living, the Everlasting’ in Arabic), together with enigmatic letters and symbols characteristic of Islamic talismanic inscriptions. The Qurʾanic verse continues in the surrounding outer margin: lā taʾkhudhuhū sinatun wa lā nawm lahu mā fī al-samāwāt wa mā fī al-arḍ man dha’lladhī yashfaʿu ʿindahū illā bi idhnihī yaʿlamu mā bayna aydīhim wa mā khalfahum wa lā yuḥīṭūna bi shayʾin min ʿilmihī illā bi mā shāʾ wasiʿa kursiyyuhū al-samāwāt wa’l-arḍ wa lā yaʾūduhū ḥifẓuhumā wa huwa al-ʿaliyyu al-ʿaẓīm. (‘Neither dozing nor sleep overtakes Him. To Him belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is on the earth. Who is he that shall intercede with Him except by His permission? He knows what is before them and what is behind them, and they do not comprehend anything of His knowledge except what He wills. His Throne extends over the heavens and the earth, and the preservation of them does not weary Him. He is the Exalted, the Great’ in Arabic). The outer margin and the protruding extension are filled with additional benedictive and devotional formulas; partly illegible. Rev. A lion standing to the right, looking at a large scorpion, a powerful symbol associated with strength and protection against harm. Holed for suspension. A large, impressive and highly interesting amulet. Some marks and scratches, otherwise, very fine.


Large bronze talismanic pendants combining extensive Qurʾanic inscriptions with figural imagery form a well-attested category of Islamic amulets from eastern Iran and adjacent regions. The use of Āyat al-Kursī (Qurʾān 2:255), the most frequently employed protective verse in Islamic talismanic practice, reflects this pendant’s apotropaic function and is closely paralleled on medieval seals, amulets, and talismanic plaques. The inclusion of additional enigmatic letters and symbols corresponds to established magical-letter traditions, in which non-lexical signs were intended to reinforce the efficacy of the inscription rather than convey a readable text.

The reverse motif of a lion confronting a scorpion is a recurring image in Islamic talismanic art and is commonly interpreted in astrological terms as an allusion to the zodiacal signs Leo and Scorpio. In this context, the pairing is generally understood as an apotropaic symbol expressing control over danger, poison, and hidden harm, particularly stings and illness, themes long associated with Scorpio in Islamic medical astrology. Comparable combinations of text and imagery are known from medieval Iranian talismans attributed to Khurasan and Nishapur, where seals, amulets, and coin-related engraving traditions intersected.

The substantial weight, integrated suspension extension, and evident wear indicate prolonged use as a personal protective object rather than a decorative ornament, underscoring its intended role as a functional amulet.