Amuletsthe gallery← amulets.guru
Islamic World · c. 700 – today

Other & unsorted Islamic World

What it is

Objects from this tradition that do not fit the types above, or whose catalogue records are too brief to sort further. Browse them for unusual forms.

History

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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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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Wall Hanging (pardah)Wall Hanging (pardah)Uzbekistan, Bukhara · 1800–1850Mirror cover (tensifa)Mirror cover (tensifa)Africa, North Africa, Morocco, Tétouan, Moroccan embroiderer · 1700sNushirwan Listens to the Owls (recto): Illustration and Text, Persian Verses, from a Manuscript of the Khamsa of Nizami, Makhzan al-Asrar [Treasure of Secrets]Nushirwan Listens to the Owls (recto): Illustration and Text, Persian Verses, from a Manuscript of the Khamsa of Nizami, Makhzan al-Asrar [Treasure of Secrets]Iran, Qazvin, Safavid period (1501-1722) · 1555–65Velvet Fragment, Khusrau Sees Shirin BathingVelvet Fragment, Khusrau Sees Shirin BathingIran, Kashan, Safavid period (1501-1722) · 1550–99Text in Khamsa of Nizami (verso), from a Haft Paykar (Seven Portraits) of NizamiText in Khamsa of Nizami (verso), from a Haft Paykar (Seven Portraits) of NizamiIran, Shiraz, Safavid period (1501-1722) · c. 1560–80Square sheet silver amulet with inscribed Arabic characters in a grid, Lebanon, 1860-1870Square sheet silver amulet with inscribed Arabic characters in a grid, Lebanon, 1860-1870Lebanon · 1860-1870ScarabScarabBritain · 1930Scarab pendant of mottled agate and gold, probably made by Castellani, Rome, about 1858Scarab pendant of mottled agate and gold, probably made by Castellani, Rome, about 1858Rome · ca. 1858Reliquary Monstrance with a Tooth of Saint John the BaptistReliquary Monstrance with a Tooth of Saint John the BaptistGermany · 1433; container: 900/1200The Ascent of the Prophet to Heaven, Page from the Khamsa of NizamiThe Ascent of the Prophet to Heaven, Page from the Khamsa of NizamiIran · Safavid dynasty (1501–1722), c. 1600Flat silver 'house-shaped' amulet, Tunisia, 1865-1900Flat silver 'house-shaped' amulet, Tunisia, 1865-1900Tunisia · 1865-1900ScarabeScarabeParis · early 1922Four scarabsFour scarabsCombs-la-Ville · 1911ScarabéeScarabéeFrance · 1952Zilverkleurige metalen schakelketting met hanger van metalen vlechtwerk met daarop turkoise aardewerk scarabeeZilverkleurige metalen schakelketting met hanger van metalen vlechtwerk met daarop turkoise aardewerk scarabeeNetherlands · 1920"Khusrau Spies Shirin Bathing", Folio from a Khamsa (Quintet) of Nizami"Khusrau Spies Shirin Bathing", Folio from a Khamsa (Quintet) of Nizami16 th century date QS:P571,+1550-00-00T00:00:00Z/7Bone PersianBone PersianZilveren amuletsieraad in de vorm van een handjeZilveren amuletsieraad in de vorm van een handjeNetherlandsScarabéeScarabéeLuxembourgCardiac scarab of the hostess Who (...)Cardiac scarab of the hostess Who (...)AustriaMoule à amulettes en forme de scarabéeMoule à amulettes en forme de scarabéeBelgium[Scarab in the Cartridge of Ramesses II: amulet][Scarab in the Cartridge of Ramesses II: amulet]FranceScarabeeScarabeeBrussels-Capital RegionAmulet from UzbekistanAmulet from UzbekistanUzbekistanAmulet from TurkeyAmulet from TurkeyTurkeyAmulet from TunisiaAmulet from TunisiaTunisiaAmulet from SyriaAmulet from SyriaSyriaAmulett (Derwisch)Amulett (Derwisch)TurkeyPostava ženy v bílé sukni, s copánkovým účesem, amulety na krku a skarifikací paží a tváří, arabští kočovníciPostava ženy v bílé sukni, s copánkovým účesem, amulety na krku a skarifikací paží a tváří, arabští kočovníciSúdánPrydnad, decoration amulet from AlgeriaPrydnad, decoration amulet from AlgeriaAlgeriaExvoto femenino procedente del Santuario del Collado de los Jardines de Despeñaperros (Santa Elena, Jaén, España)Exvoto femenino procedente del Santuario del Collado de los Jardines de Despeñaperros (Santa Elena, Jaén, España)Collado de los JardinesBahram Gur and the Iranian princess in the white pavilion, from Seven Portraits (Haft Paykar), in the Five Poems (Khamsa), by NizamiBahram Gur and the Iranian princess in the white pavilion, from Seven Portraits (Haft Paykar), in the Five Poems (Khamsa), by NizamiIrelandScarabéeScarabéeParisStempelsiegel: Bes (Gottheit)Stempelsiegel: Bes (Gottheit)Iran (Altertum)scarabeuscarabeuCraiovafetish from "Casamance et Mellacorée. Pénétration au Soudan".fetish from "Casamance et Mellacorée. Pénétration au Soudan".France"Bahram Gur in the Dark Palace on Saturday", Folio 207 from a Khamsa (Quintet) of Nizami"Bahram Gur in the Dark Palace on Saturday", Folio 207 from a Khamsa (Quintet) of NizamiPeriodo ottomano, anello, xix-xx secoloPeriodo ottomano, anello, xix-xx secoloTurkeyStamps of Uzbekistan, 2004Stamps of Uzbekistan, 2004artArabic AmuletArabic AmuletAmuletAmuletWall hanging (pardah)Wall hanging (pardah)Uzbekistan, Bukhara · 1850–75Embroidery sampler (chelliga/shelliga)Embroidery sampler (chelliga/shelliga)Africa, North Africa, Morocco, Moroccan embroiderer · c. 1700sThe Story of Nushirwan and his Minister, "The Third Discourse on Diverse Events and Disorder in Life" from a Khamsa (Quintet) of Nizami (1141–1209) (verso)The Story of Nushirwan and his Minister, "The Third Discourse on Diverse Events and Disorder in Life" from a Khamsa (Quintet) of Nizami (1141–1209) (verso)Iran, Qazvin, Safavid period (1501-1722) · 1555–65Velvet Fragment, Khusrau Sees Shirin BathingVelvet Fragment, Khusrau Sees Shirin BathingIran, Kashan, Safavid period (1501-1722) · 1550–99Khusrau Gazing at Shirin, from a copy of the Khamsa of NizamiKhusrau Gazing at Shirin, from a copy of the Khamsa of NizamiIran · 1485 (890 A.H.)'House-shaped' flat silver amulet with loop at top, Tunisia, 1865-1900'House-shaped' flat silver amulet with loop at top, Tunisia, 1865-1900Tunisia · 1865-1900ScarabéScarabéParis · mid 1950ScarabéeScarabéeFranceKhamsa (Quintet) of NizamiKhamsa (Quintet) of Nizami15 th century date QS:P571,+1450-00-00T00:00:00Z/7Base metalBase metalArmbandamuletArmbandamuletNetherlandsScarabéeScarabéeLuxembourgCardiac scarabCardiac scarabAustriaScarabée inachevéScarabée inachevéBelgium[Scarabée à ailes mobiles : amulette][Scarabée à ailes mobiles : amulette]FranceScarab with the name of DehentiScarab with the name of DehentiBrussels-Capital RegionKniv, knife amulet from UzbekistanKniv, knife amulet from UzbekistanUzbekistanamulet, case, amuletamulet, case, amuletTurkeyFive Poems (Khamsa), by NizamiFive Poems (Khamsa), by NizamiIreland

More from Islamic World: Khamsa / Hand of Fatima · Nazar evil-eye beads · Qur’an & amulet cases (hirz, ta’wiz) · Talismanic scrolls & sheets · Talismanic shirts & textiles · Talismanic seals & engraved stones · Maghreb & Tuareg silver
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.