Qur'an or Amulet Box
19th-20th century
Description
Small boxes like this one were used to hold small Qur'ans, prayer manuals, or talismanic texts, which were written on long sheets of paper and folded repeatedly or rolled to fit the confines of their containers. The front of the box is decorated with a non-monetary coin surrounded by stylized vine-and-leaf motifs in relief. The coin features a six-pointed star popularly known as the Seal of Solomon, which—since Solomon was believed to have authority over supernatural powers—often adorns talismanic objects and texts. An arched lid closes the box; cords passed through its two handles would have allowed it to be suspended, providing protection to a place or a person.
Dimensions
16 x 18.2 x 2.4 cm (6 5/16 x 7 3/16 x 15/16 in.)
Provenance
Stanford and Norma Jean Calderwood, Belmont, MA (by 1992-2002), gift; to Harvard Art Museums, 2002.
Related Artworks
View MoreWhite stoneware with russet-brown glaze
20th centuryJapanesePale greenish white nephrite with russet skin
16th centuryChineseLacquer on wood with decoration in gold and silver utilizing the hiramaki-e (low-relief sprinkled design), takamaki-e (high-relief sprinkled design), and nashiji ("pear-skinned" ground) techniques
18th centuryJapanesePaper over board, cardboard
19th centuryGermanWood
19th centuryAmericanWhite stoneware with clear glaze
8th-9th centuryChineseIncised celadon ware: light gray stoneware with celadon glaze over incised decoration
11th centuryKoreanSilver with parcel gilding
3rd century BCE-3rd century CEChineseLacquer on wood with decoration in gold and silver utilizing the hiramaki-e (low-relief sprinkled design) technique
18th centuryJapaneseOff-white nephrite
18th-19th centuryChinese