Amuletsthe gallery← amulets.guru
South Asia · c. 300 BCE – today

Amulet cases & kavacha

Meaning

Kavacha ('armour') or ta'wiz amulet cases are tubular or box-shaped cases holding a written mantra, yantra or Qur'anic verse. Hindus and Muslims both use them, and the form is shared.

Intent

They were tied on the upper arm, neck or waist with thread, especially on children and brides, for protection from illness, the evil eye, spirits and accidents, and for success and fertility.

Significance

They show the shared material culture of Hindu and Muslim India, where the same silversmith could make both. Rajasthani and Mughal cases in gold, enamel (meenakari) and gems are masterpieces of jewellery.

History

Amulet cases are shown in Mughal and Rajput painting from the 16th century. Most surviving pieces date from the 18th to early 20th centuries.

Making yours
4–10 cm tube or box with two or three loops, in repoussé, enamel (meenakari) or kundan-set stones.
South Asia: the tradition

India combines the protective systems of several religions. Hindu kavacha ('armour') prayers and yantras, Jain and Buddhist charms, Muslim ta'wiz and Sikh symbols are often worn by the same people. Planetary astrology (jyotisha) gave rise to the navaratna nine-gem jewel and to gemstones prescribed to balance the planets. Tigers' claws, rudraksha seeds and black thread against nazar (the evil eye) are pan-Indian. Mughal and Rajput courts made these amulets into jewellery of gold and precious stones, and British India turned the tiger claw into a Victorian fashion.

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Amulet from Tibet(?)Amulet from Tibet(?)Tibet(?) · 1800sAmulet in the Shape of a Pipal Leaf (Ficus religiosa) with Four-armed Dancing ShivaAmulet in the Shape of a Pipal Leaf (Ficus religiosa) with Four-armed Dancing ShivaIndia, Ajmere, Bombay Presidency · 1800sSilver amulet from RajasthanSilver amulet from RajasthanRajasthan · 20th centuryEnamelled amulet depicting Shrinathji from RajasthanEnamelled amulet depicting Shrinathji from RajasthanIndia · 20th centuryGold pendant amulet from GujaratGold pendant amulet from GujaratGujarat · 20th centurySilver amulet with enamelled decoration of 'Vishnupada'Silver amulet with enamelled decoration of 'Vishnupada'Himachal Pradesh · 20th centuryfemale figure; Jewellery, silver, stamped, Rajasthanfemale figure; Jewellery, silver, stamped, Rajasthanmid-late 19th centuryAmulet plaque, silver, Ajmer, c.1880Amulet plaque, silver, Ajmer, c.1880Ajmer · ca., 1880triangular; Jewellery, silver, Sri Lanka, C19triangular; Jewellery, silver, Sri Lanka, C19Sri Lanka · 19th centuryAmulett av silverAmulett av silverIndia · 1912Periodo ottomano, amuleto con formule magiche, xviii-xx secoloPeriodo ottomano, amuleto con formule magiche, xviii-xx secoloTurkeyAmulet (image 1 of 2)Amulet (image 1 of 2)India · early 19 th century date QS:P571,+1850-00-00T00:00:00Z/7,P4241,Q40719727Talia amulet from IndiaTalia amulet from IndiaIndiaJewellery, amulettgömma amulet from PakistanJewellery, amulettgömma amulet from PakistanPakistanAmulet from PakistanAmulet from PakistanPakistanPeriodo ottomano, collana con amuleto, xviii-xx secoloPeriodo ottomano, collana con amuleto, xviii-xx secoloEgptian Amulet NecklaceEgptian Amulet NecklaceEgyptSioux Indian amulet in the form of a turtle, worn by girls to ward off illness. Said to contain the umbilical cord of the wearer. Decorated in beading. Northern PlainsSioux Indian amulet in the form of a turtle, worn by girls to ward off illness. Said to contain the umbilical cord of the wearer. Decorated in beading. Northern PlainsUte, amuleto natal, 1900 caUte, amuleto natal, 1900 caChhattisgarhi Silver amulet , 19th Century, featuring Goddess Durga, National Museum ,New DelhiChhattisgarhi Silver amulet , 19th Century, featuring Goddess Durga, National Museum ,New DelhiGold and enamelled amulet from Nathdwara, RajasthanGold and enamelled amulet from Nathdwara, RajasthanRajasthan · 20th centurySilver amulet die-stamped with figures of Ganesh and ParvatiSilver amulet die-stamped with figures of Ganesh and ParvatiIndia · 20th centuryGold amulet, from GujaratGold amulet, from GujaratGujarat · 20th centuryAmulet, square with a protrusion on one side, flat, inscribed in Persian, rock crystal, India, 19th centuryAmulet, square with a protrusion on one side, flat, inscribed in Persian, rock crystal, India, 19th century19th centuryPeriodo ottomano, amuleto con formule magiche, xviii-xx secolo 03 a forma di scimitarra o pugnalePeriodo ottomano, amuleto con formule magiche, xviii-xx secolo 03 a forma di scimitarra o pugnaleTurkeyAmulet (image 2 of 2)Amulet (image 2 of 2)India · early 19 th century date QS:P571,+1850-00-00T00:00:00Z/7,P4241,Q40719727Dosa amulet from IndiaDosa amulet from IndiaIndiaJewellery amulet from PakistanJewellery amulet from PakistanPakistanAmulet from PakistanAmulet from PakistanPakistanIndian Art Beads Amulett CanadaIndian Art Beads Amulett CanadaSioux Indian amulet in the form of a turtle, worn by girls to ward off illness. Said to contain the umbilical cord of the wearer. Decorated in quills. Northern PlainsSioux Indian amulet in the form of a turtle, worn by girls to ward off illness. Said to contain the umbilical cord of the wearer. Decorated in quills. Northern PlainsNecklace of garnet and silver beads with amulet pendant of HanumanNecklace of garnet and silver beads with amulet pendant of HanumanRajasthan · 20th centuryGold and enamel amulet of Krishna and Radha with an emerald dropGold and enamel amulet of Krishna and Radha with an emerald dropIndia · 20th centurycircular; Jewellery, silver, stamped, Rajasthancircular; Jewellery, silver, stamped, Rajasthanmid-late 19th centuryPeriodo ottomano, amuleto con formule magiche, xviii-xx secolo 02 a forma di manoPeriodo ottomano, amuleto con formule magiche, xviii-xx secolo 02 a forma di manoTurkeyAmulette Rajasthan 6Amulette Rajasthan 6IndiaAmulet from IndiaAmulet from IndiaIndiaJewellery amulet from PakistanJewellery amulet from PakistanPakistanAmulet from PakistanAmulet from PakistanPakistanAmulet with Bhagavatapurana (CBL InE 1478Amulet with Bhagavatapurana (CBL InE 1478Late 18th or early 19th centurySioux Indian amulet in the form of a turtle, worn by girls to ward off illness. Said to contain the umbilical cord of the wearer. Decorated in beading. Northern PlainsSioux Indian amulet in the form of a turtle, worn by girls to ward off illness. Said to contain the umbilical cord of the wearer. Decorated in beading. Northern PlainsAmulet, generally oval, green glass, inscribed, India, 19th centuryAmulet, generally oval, green glass, inscribed, India, 19th centuryIndia · 19th centuryequestrian figure; Jewellery, silver, stamped, Rajasthanequestrian figure; Jewellery, silver, stamped, Rajasthanmid-late 19th centuryAum pendantAum pendantIndiaAmulet from IndiaAmulet from IndiaIndiaAmulett aus StoffAmulett aus StoffPakistanAmulet necklace, Santali Tribe, Birbhum, Eastern IndiaAmulet necklace, Santali Tribe, Birbhum, Eastern IndiaSioux Indian amulet in the form of a turtle, worn by girls to ward off illness. Said to contain the umbilical cord of the wearer. Decorated in quills. Northern PlainsSioux Indian amulet in the form of a turtle, worn by girls to ward off illness. Said to contain the umbilical cord of the wearer. Decorated in quills. Northern PlainsAmulet, generally oval, bluish green glass, inscribed, India, 19th centuryAmulet, generally oval, bluish green glass, inscribed, India, 19th centuryIndia · 19th centuryfemale figure; Jewellery, silver, stamped, Rajasthanfemale figure; Jewellery, silver, stamped, Rajasthanmid-late 19th centuryAmulet from IndiaAmulet from IndiaIndiaAmulett aus StoffAmulett aus StoffPakistanAmulette Rajasthan 2Amulette Rajasthan 2Sioux Indian amulet in the form of a turtle, worn by girls to ward off illness. Said to contain the umbilical cord of the wearer. Decorated in beading. Northern PlainsSioux Indian amulet in the form of a turtle, worn by girls to ward off illness. Said to contain the umbilical cord of the wearer. Decorated in beading. Northern PlainsAmulet, silver, Indian 20th centuryAmulet, silver, Indian 20th centuryIndia · 20th centuryequestrian figure; Jewellery, silver, stamped, Rajasthanequestrian figure; Jewellery, silver, stamped, Rajasthanmid-late 19th centuryAmulet from IndiaAmulet from IndiaIndiaAmulette Rajasthan 7Amulette Rajasthan 7Sioux Indian amulet in the form of a turtle, worn by girls to ward off illness. Said to contain the umbilical cord of the wearer. Decorated in quills. Northern PlainsSioux Indian amulet in the form of a turtle, worn by girls to ward off illness. Said to contain the umbilical cord of the wearer. Decorated in quills. Northern PlainsRectangular die-struck silver plaque with two peacocks and 4 suspension ringsRectangular die-struck silver plaque with two peacocks and 4 suspension ringsIndia · 20th century

More from South Asia: Tiger-claw & tooth amulets · Navaratna (nine-gem) amulets · Yantras & mantra plates · Deity pendants & sacred seeds · Other & unsorted South Asia
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.