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Islamic World · c. 700 – today

Qur’an & amulet cases (hirz, ta’wiz)

Meaning

A hirz or ta'wiz case is a container for God's word. It holds a paper or parchment written with Qur'anic verses, the Names of God, prayers and magic squares, and it turns scripture into something worn.

Intent

It is worn on the arm (bazuband), neck or turban, sewn into clothes or hung on children and animals, for protection from illness, the evil eye, jinn, accidents and enemies, and for success. The text must not be read or opened.

Significance

Amulet cases are the most common Islamic amulet form, found from Morocco to Indonesia, and many are fine silver jewellery. Their contents are important evidence for popular piety and the medical role of scripture.

History

Written amulets in cases are known from early Islam and are very common in Mamluk Egypt and Syria (13th–16th centuries), Ottoman Turkey, Safavid and Qajar Iran, Mughal India and North Africa, continuing to the present.

Making yours
Tubes 5–15 cm with end-caps and three loops, or flat rectangular boxes with a sliding lid. Repoussé, filigree, nielloed or set with carnelian.
Islamic World: the tradition

Islamic theology distinguishes forbidden amulets (tama'im, charms trusted in themselves) from permitted protection by God's word, so the characteristic Islamic amulet is textual: Qur'anic verses, especially the Throne Verse (2:255) and the last two suras, the Mu'awwidhatayn, along with the Ninety-Nine Names of God, magic squares (wafq) and the Seal of Solomon. Scholars such as al-Buni (d. 1225) wrote manuals of letter and number magic. The hand of Fatima and the blue eye bead came from pre-Islamic Mediterranean practice and remained hugely popular. Talismanic art reached a peak at the Ottoman, Safavid and Mughal courts in shirts, armour, bowls and seals.

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Charm CaseCharm CaseTibet, 19th century · 1800sChain with Two Charm CasesChain with Two Charm CasesIndia · 1800sAmulet caseAmulet caseTurkey · 1800-1870Amulet ornamentsAmulet ornamentsEgypt · 1850-1880Triangular silver amulet case on a silver chain, Albania, 1850-1870Triangular silver amulet case on a silver chain, Albania, 1850-1870Albania · 1850-1870Amulet case, gold, decortated with the head of Sekhmet, Lebanon or Syria, Phoenician, 7th-6th century BCAmulet case, gold, decortated with the head of Sekhmet, Lebanon or Syria, Phoenician, 7th-6th century BCSardinia · 600BC-400BCAmulet case on chain, India, 20th centuryAmulet case on chain, India, 20th centuryIndia · 20th centuryQur'an case, engraved steel with inlaid gold, Iran, Qajar period, 1800-70Qur'an case, engraved steel with inlaid gold, Iran, Qajar period, 1800-70Iran · 1800-1870Armband Amulet (Bazuband) Inscribed "In the Name of God"Armband Amulet (Bazuband) Inscribed "In the Name of God"Iran · Qajar dynasty (1796–1925), 19th century, dated 1832 (1248 A.H.)IslamicIslamicSilver amulet case (hirz) pendant with granulation, 20th century, YemenSilver amulet case (hirz) pendant with granulation, 20th century, YemenYemenAmulet caseAmulet caseIrelandAmulet CaseAmulet Case19 th century date QS:P571,+1850-00-00T00:00:00Z/7Charm CaseCharm CaseTibet, 19th century · 1800sTalisman holderTalisman holderTurkey · 1820-30Silver cylindrical amulet case with diagonal decoration, Egypt, 1860-1872Silver cylindrical amulet case with diagonal decoration, Egypt, 1860-1872Egypt · 1860-1872Silver amulet case with chain, embossed with StSilver amulet case with chain, embossed with StAlbania · c.1860Amulet case, gold, decorated with the head of Horus, Lebanon or Syria, Phoenician, 7th-6th century BCAmulet case, gold, decorated with the head of Horus, Lebanon or Syria, Phoenician, 7th-6th century BCSardinia · 600BC-400BCSilver amulet, central part of a bazubandSilver amulet, central part of a bazubandIndia · 20th centuryboat shaped with smiling lion; Religion, bronze, cast, S India, C19boat shaped with smiling lion; Religion, bronze, cast, S India, C1919th centurySilver amulet case (hirz) pendant with granulation and a maker stamp, 20th century, YemenSilver amulet case (hirz) pendant with granulation and a maker stamp, 20th century, YemenYemenAmulet CaseAmulet Case11 th century date QS:P571,+1050-00-00T00:00:00Z/7Charm CaseCharm CaseTibet, 19th century · 1800sNecklace with amulet casesNecklace with amulet casesEgypt · 1839-1869Amulet case, silver, India, 20th centuryAmulet case, silver, India, 20th centuryIndia · 20th centuryAmulet CaseAmulet Case17th–19th centuryCharm Case PairCharm Case PairTibet, 19th century · 1800sAmulet box from IndiaAmulet box from IndiaIndia · c.1870Amulet CaseAmulet Case19 th century date QS:P571,+1850-00-00T00:00:00Z/7Amulet CaseAmulet Case11 th century date QS:P571,+1050-00-00T00:00:00Z/7Amulet CaseAmulet Case11 th century date QS:P571,+1050-00-00T00:00:00Z/7Amulet Box, 19th centuryAmulet Box, 19th century19 th century date QS:P,+1850-00-00T00:00:00Z/7Amulet CaseAmulet Case17th–19th centuryAmulet CaseAmulet Case19 th century date QS:P571,+1850-00-00T00:00:00Z/7

More from Islamic World: Khamsa / Hand of Fatima · Nazar evil-eye beads · Talismanic scrolls & sheets · Talismanic shirts & textiles · Talismanic seals & engraved stones · Maghreb & Tuareg silver · Other & unsorted Islamic World
Every type in the gallery

Anything in the gallery can be made: any piece, any tradition, in its own material or yours, by hand from the documented original. Numbered. Price on commission, quoted before anything is made. I reply within one business day.