Talismanic Scroll
Unknown Artist
11th–12th century
Medium
Ink on paper
Dimensions
H. 6 1/8 in. (15.6 cm) W. 1 1/2 in. (3.8 cm)
Classification
Codices
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Richard Ettinghausen, 1975
Accession Number
1975.192.20
Tags
Art Historical Context
This delicate Talismanic Scroll, created by an unknown artist in the 11th or 12th century represents a fascinating blend of faith and artistry from the Islamic world. Measuring just 6 1/8 inches high and 1 1/2 inches wide, the small ink-on-paper piece was likely designed for personal use, perhaps carried as a protective charm. Its classification among codices highlights the importance of written texts in medieval Islamic culture. In Islamic tradition, such scrolls often combined Quranic verses or symbolic inscriptions to offer spiritual safeguarding. The compact format allowed the object to b...