‘On the little finger of the right hand… is worn a seal-ring (khátim), which is generally of silver, with a carnelion, or other stone, upon which is engraved the wearer’s name … The seal-ring is used for signing letters and other writings; and its impression is considered more valid than the sign-manual … Almost every person who can afford it has a seal-ring, even though he be a servant.’ (Edward W. Lane, An Account of the Manners and Customs of the Modern Egyptians [1860]. p. 30)
Seals have been in use in the eastern world since the beginning of recorded history and carried the weight of the modern written signature. The seal, primarily attesting the authority of the person who used it, was also used on various materials to show ownership of property. The image or inscription on a seal was executed in reverse, in order to appear correctly in the impression.
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)adopted a khatim around 7 AH/628-29 CE, reportedly made of silver and inscribed with the words Muhammad rasul Allah (‘Muhammad is the messenger of God’). Collected traditions of the sayings of the Prophet (the Hadith) forbade men from wearing gold, thus the officially approved metals for seal rings included silver, copper, bronze, etc.
The most common inscribed stones set into such rings were varieties of cryptocrystalline quartz, such as carnelian, and jaspers and agates of various colours. Not uncommon as well were rock crystal (colourless crystalline quartz) and, in roughly descending order of frequency, the likes of garnet, turquoise, lapis lazuli and coral. More luxurious choices were precious stones such as spinel, sapphire, ruby and emerald, although little of this material has survived the cupiditiy and whim of subsequent generations. The inscriptions on seals most often included the name of the owner, sometimes accompanied by a pious expression or proverb such as ‘Glory is God’s [Alone]’ (see LNS 855 J). In a significant number of instances, a religious inscription alone served as an individual’s seal.
Seals were a necessity in governmental, business and daily affairs. For example, English officials in India were required to own seals with their names in Arabic characters (see LNS 2019 J).
Seals are abundant all over the Islamic world, and countless impressions and extant seals remain to show that Muslim rulers and others regularly used seals, from the early caliphs to the Mughal emperors and the Ottoman sultans. Seals were most commonly worn as finger rings; though stamp seals, which frequently had holes for suspension (see LNS 47 HS, LNS 2486 J, LNS 856 J and LNS 2019 J), were also common. Distinguished individuals even had seal bearers who carried their seals in a small bag, producing them when needed.
The al-Sabah Collection preserves the most extensive, exhaustive and distinguished collection of medieval Islamic jewellery in the world, with seals, in both ring and stamp forms, comprising one of the strongest areas.
