Islamic Agate Talisman Pendant with Carved Basmala

A talismanic pendant hand-carved from a single piece of natural agate, likely of Ottoman origin and dating to the early twentieth century. The surface bears finely incised Arabic calligraphy giving the Basmala, Bismillāh ar-Raḥmān ar-Raḥīm, “In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful”, framed by scrolling arabesque borders.

The stone is hexagonal, with a rounded top knob for suspension, indicating it was made to be worn as a personal amulet. Devotional objects of this kind were commonly worn or carried for talismanic purposes across the late Ottoman world and the wider Islamic regions.

The agate is a warm honey-brown with subtle banding, polished by hand. It stands approximately 50 mm (2 inches) and weighs about 20 grams. From a private collection in the United States.