Silver Amulet Box
19th century
Description
Amulet boxes such as these were worn in pairs, with a piece of cloth passing through the loops on the side to attach one box to each upper arm. In the center of each box lid is the bismallah, written in such a way as to form a pseudo-magic square. Around the edge of the lid and around the body are verses from the Qur'an. The boxes would also have contained miniature Qur'ans. The Qur'an was believed to have protective qualities, and so these amulets would have protected the wearer from harm, disease, misfortune, and the evil eye, and would have afforded him or her a general sense of well-being. Notes from the Glory and Prosperity exhibition, Feb - June 2002.
Dimensions
7 cm (2 3/4 in.)
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