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Amulet Holder

late 19th–early 20th century
Not on view
This Qur'an holder is a doga-kumus, a small box that hangs from a chain or a leather strap that was hung over the shoulder or around the neck. This type of silver jewelry was used to keep Muslim prayers, talismans, keys, or coins, and was typically worn by older women. According to an eighteenth-century legend, these hanging Qur'an holders symbolize Islamic power over evil spirits. The front of the box is decorated with gilded and embossed silver disks in half-moon and triangle shapes, set with carnelians. Silver wire and horn motifs decorate the border of the plates and twelve spherical pendants hang from six double-link chains.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Amulet Holder
  • Date: late 19th–early 20th century
  • Geography: Attributed to Central Asia or Iran
  • Medium: Silver and brass alloy; fire-gilded, with ram's-head terminals, loop-in-loop chains, bells, decorative wire, gilt-applied decoration, table-cut carnelians, and applique discs on leather
  • Dimensions: Leather strap:
    H. 17 13/16 in. (45.2 cm)
    W. 1 13/16 in. (4.7 cm)
    Qur'an Case:
    H. 7 in. (17.8 cm)
    W. 7 13/16 in. (19.8 cm)
  • Classification: Jewelry
  • Credit Line: Gift of Marshall and Marilyn R. Wolf, 2005
  • Object Number: 2005.443.8
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

More Artwork

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Coat, Silk; decorated with circular discs and lozenge-shaped clasps, edging, and floral Russian printed cotton and synthetic fabric lining
Coat
late 19th–early 20th century
Front Panel of an Amulet Holder, Silver, with decorative wire, gilt applied decoration, chains, bells, table-cut carnelian, coral beads, and glass stones
Front Panel of an Amulet Holder
early 20th century
Pectoral Disc Ornament, Silver, with decorative wire, embossed pendants, ram's-head terminals, loop-in-loop chains, conical bells, and table-cut carnelians
Pectoral Disc Ornament
late 19th–early 20th century
Amulet for Boy's Cap, Silver; fire-gilded and chased, with decorative wire, openwork, loop-in-loop chains, bells, and table-cut carnelian
Amulet for Boy's Cap
late 19th–early 20th century
Pectoral Ornament (?), Silver, fire-gilded, with applied decoration, twisted wire, connecting links and embossed pendants, table-cut carnelians, and glass stones
Pectoral Ornament (?)
19th century

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