Unique silver Ring of Emir of Cordoba Andalucia over 900 years old

Background

You are looking at a truly remarkable and unique piece of Islamic history.

This ring was the personal ring of the Amirul Mumineen Ali ibn Yusuf Tashufin.

Ali ibn Yusuf ruled Spain and North Africa from 500AH until his death in 537AH (1106CE until 1143CE).

This regal ring is from the start of Ali ibn Yusuf’s reign and is dated 500AH which equates to 1106CE making this ring over 900 years old.

Personal rings belonging to a monarch in medieval times are very rarely offered for sale.

The only equivalent artefact that we have been able to identify was one of several seals that were made for the King of Scotland, Robert the Bruce, which sold for £150,000 (including fees) in London 2014.

Inscriptions

The inscriptions are in very early Kufic style but are readable and can be compared to coins from the reign of Ali ibn Yusuf. He is given the title “Commander of the Faithful” as he and his father remained committed to their allegiance to the Caliph in Baghdad.

Starting with the bezel on the left side, you can clearly see the name in the centre “Ali” at the top under the trefoil (three half circle design) motif which is reminiscent of domes. Under the name appears the title “Emir of Cordoba”.

Around the outer edge you can see (starting just left of the name “Ali”, going counter clockwise) the “Bism Allah” followed by a description that this ring was made in Cordoba in the year 500”. It was during this period that his father had sent Ali to Al Andalus to address the in fighting between the Muslim rulers in the region.

The bezel on the right consists of benedictory or religious inscriptions which begin with the negation “La” but although the individual letters are discernible, we are unable to work out the words.

It is clear from the style of the inscriptions, the motifs & designs, the layout of the inscriptions that this ring is from the period. When you study coins from the period you will notice many similarities. However, it is clear that the bezels on this ring are specially designed for this ring.

Style of Ring

The style of this ring is very very unusual in it’s shape and it is known as a double bezel ring. The bezel is the section that displays the text on this ring. Most double bezel rings have the bezels one on top of the other but this one has the bezels side by side. So when the ring is worn, the inscribed bezels appear at either side of the finger.

We can find numerous double bezel rings with the bezel one above the other but have not been able to locate another ring from any civilisation (eg Roman, Byzantine, Greek or Islamic) with the bezels side by side. 

Why would a Prince own a ring made only of silver?

The greatest and ultimate role model for all pious Muslims is the Final Messenger Muhammad (peace be upon him). Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) himself owned a SILVER ring and forbade men to wear gold as it was a symbol of pride and a display of wealth.

Both Ali ibn Yusuf and his father Yusuf ibn Tashfin were part of the Almoravid Dynasty which originated from Berber Morocco. The Almoravids were known as “soldier monks” and were recognised for their puritanical and orthodox practice of Islam. In orthodox Islam, gold is forbidden for Muslim men to wear as it is an exhibition of wealth – or showing off.

Ali ibn Yusuf’s father was very modest and even refused to wear regal robes (expensive clothes worn by Kings):

“Ali Ibn Yusuf, then only twenty-three at the time of his accession to the throne in 1106, continued the successful trend of his father for over a decade.He was almost as religious as Yusuf, preferred simplicity and solitude and wasn’t lacking in implementing justice”.

From Islamic Global History Blogspot

Condition

This ring is around 900 years old and exhibits some wear and tear that is commensurate with age. This ring may have spent several centuries in the ground and displays blemishes that are associated with and excavated medieval jewellery. The inscriptions are clear but slightly worn. The band is slightly out of round (it would have been just a little more rounded on the inside). Please note, however, that this majestic regal ring is in very acceptable condition, has no real damage and has not been repaired.

This is an exceptional opportunity to purchase a ring that belonged to the Ameerul Mumineen.

Dimensions

This silver ring weighs a solid 25.5g which is remarkable as it only measures approximately 20mm x 30mm.

The inside diameter measures around 19mm and the outside is 29mm.

The dense weight is due to this ring being made by a casting method.

In Medieval cultures the ring was worn by men on their little finger and this was also the case with Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him).

The purity of the silver (85-90%) in this ring is typical of the content used during the medieval Islamic period.

Provenance: Purchased from private collector of Al Andalus items, collection formed in the 1960’s.

All of our items come with a guarantee that they are genuine and legitimately sourced.