Ottoman 12-sided Bektashi stone

The 12-sided Bektashi stone (Turkish: “Teslim Taşı” or “Balgam”) is a twelve-sided stone worn around the neck by dervishes in the Bektashi tradition. This stone is also called the “stone of submission” or “stone of devotion (Balgami)” and is usually made of Balgami stone from Hacibektaş, which is mined in Kirshehir near the convent of the order’s founder, Hadji Bektash, in Nevshehir (eastern Turkey).

Each corner of the stone represents the twelve imams and symbolizes the dervish’s submission to Allah.

This 12-sided stone has a diameter of approx. 5.7 cm.

It comes from an Istanbul Bektashi family and dates back to around 1900 or earlier.

Very good condition. The suspension was added later.