Lot 059 A LARGE AND IMPORTANT BROWN AGATE SEAL RING INSCRIBED “AHMAD IBN AGHA KHAN” QAJAR PERSIA OR BRITISH INDIA, CIRCA LATE 19TH CENTURY

Description

A LARGE AND IMPORTANT BROWN AGATE SEAL RING
INSCRIBED “AHMAD IBN AGHA KHAN”
QAJAR PERSIA OR BRITISH INDIA, CIRCA LATE 19TH CENTURY
约19世纪末 “艾哈迈德·本·阿迦汗”铭文棕色玛瑙玺戒
MEASUREMENTS & SPECIFICATIONS
• Seal Stone: Natural Brown Agate (Carnelian-Onyx variety)
• Form: Large Oval Tabular Seal
• Script: Mirror-reversed Persian Nastaʿlīq Intaglio
• Inscription: “Ahmad ibn Agha Khan” (艾哈迈德·本·阿迦汗)
• Mount: Modern Silver Ring Mount
ESTIMATE
USD 15,000 — 25,000
(HKD 117,000 — 195,000)
DESCRIPTION
This impressive, large-scale oval seal is meticulously carved from a deep, lustrous brown agate. The face of the seal bears the inscription “Ahmad ibn Agha Khan” (Ahmad, son of Agha Khan), executed in an exquisite mirror-reversed Nastaʿlīq calligraphy. The carving demonstrates the pinnacle of late 19th-century lapidary skill, with fluid, rhythmic strokes that retain their crisp definition after more than a century.
The seal is attributed to a descendant of the Nizari Ismaili Imamat, the spiritual leaders historically known by the title “Agha Khan.” Serving as both spiritual Imams and influential socio-political figures, the Agha Khans and their immediate kin utilized such seals to authenticate official correspondence and symbolize their inherited authority. Dating back approximately 130 years, the seal stone and its intricate engraving remain historically authentic, currently set in a minimalist modern silver mount.
描述
此件大尺寸椭圆形玺印由成色浑厚、质地坚实的棕色玛瑙雕琢而成。玺面铭文为**“Ahmad ibn Agha Khan”（阿迦汗之子艾哈迈德），采用精湛的镜向反刻工艺，书以极尽细腻的波斯体（Nastaʿlīq）**书法。线条宛转流畅，展现了19世纪末波斯及南亚地区高超的印章艺术造诣。
此玺被认为属于尼扎里伊斯玛仪派（Nizari Ismaili）领袖家族成员。历史上的“阿迦汗”不仅是该教派的精神领袖，也是极具跨国影响力的社会政治领袖。此类玺印曾作为权力的象征，用于签署家族公函并见证合法传承。本拍品已有约130年历史，玺石及雕刻工艺均保持历史原貌，目前镶嵌于简约的现代银质戒托之中，兼具收藏与佩戴价值。
HISTORICAL CONTEXT & HERITAGE
The history of the Agha Khan family is inextricably linked to the spiritual and cultural preservation of the Ismaili community. As showcased in the prestigious Aga Khan Museum in Toronto, artifacts associated with this lineage are more than mere personal effects; they are vital witnesses to the Ismaili Imamat’s leadership. This seal, through its refined calligraphy and specific titular inscription, offers a rare glimpse into the administrative traditions of a family that bridged the gap between the Persian Qajar courts and British India during the late 19th century.
阿迦汗家族的历史与伊斯玛仪派的文化传承密不可分。正如多伦多阿迦汗博物馆（Aga Khan Museum）所展示的典藏，这一家族的文物是伊斯玛仪派领导力与全球文化遗产的重要见证。此枚玺印通过其书法风格与铭文内容，生动呈现了19世纪末该家族在跨区域社会政治中的特殊地位，是研究近现代伊斯兰宗教领袖家族史的重要实物。
PROVENANCE
• Private Collection, Canada.
• Formerly held in a Private Middle Eastern Collection.
• 加拿大私人收藏；前藏于中东私人珍藏。
CONDITION REPORT
• The agate seal stone is in excellent condition with a deep, rich hue. The intaglio engraving remains exceptionally crisp and distinct, with no significant chips or cracks. The modern silver mount is stable and well-crafted.
• 玺石保存完好，玛瑙色泽深沉，铭文边缘清晰。经检测无明显磕损或裂纹，现代银质戒托结构稳固，工艺精良。