Pendant with Incised Blessing

A blessing cut so fine that you need good light and a little patience.

This pendant with an incised blessing comes from the Middle East, carved carnelian with a gold mount. Across the Islamic world, stones inscribed with sacred words were worn or carried as amulets, keeping the wearer close to the protection of the text, and carnelian was among the favored stones. Lines of Arabic script fill a ruled central panel, opening with what appears to be the familiar invocation of God's name. Bands of smaller script circle the edge. The stone is a warm brown, and two gold loops rise from the rim. Two and a half inches long and two high.

It is a small object carrying a great many words.