Silver Filigree Islamic Amulet Box with Agate and Silver Beads
Yemen/Oman
19th century
length of amulet box without attachments: 14.5 cm; height: 12 cm
length of box and chains: 66 cm
Amulet boxes such as these were worn around the neck as protective devices. This stunning
example is of high-grade silver with a front that is decorated with dozens of bands finely
worked silver filigree, applied sun-motif disks and various geometric silver lozenges. Overall,
the box is an exceptionally fine example of what is most probably Jewish silver-work made for
local Islamic tastes.
Seven cabochon agate or carnelian pendants have been hung from the base of the amulet
which in turn is suspended from a chain of 12 polished agate beads and 12 silver beads with
applied granular work and strung on a brown woollen cord threaded through an incised white
metal toggle. The roughly-hewn agate/carnelian pendants lend much charm to the overall
aesthetic of the piece. (Carnelian was the stone that the Prophet Mohammed reputedly wore
mounted in a ring.) These, like the beads, also have clear age.
The first silver bead on either side is has applied silver grains of barley motifs - a recurring
motif in Yemenite jewellery and are archaic symbols of fertility. The Israel Museum in
Jerusalem has a string of such beads which it describes as a necklace worn by Jewish brides
in San'a, Yemen. As elsewhere, the art of silver-smithing in Yemen became an almost
exclusively Jewish occupation.
Boxes such as these were worn in Saudi Arabia, Oman and Yemen. Amulet boxes are also
important in the Maghreb. Christie's in London had a gold example attributed to Saudi Arabia
at its 'Islamic Art and Manuscripts' auction of October 12, 2004 (lot 157 - price realised: 8,365
pounds). It is not surprising that amulet boxes should be sourced from across northern Africa
and the Middle East given the migration of Jewish silver and gold smiths, the nomadic nature
of many of the communities in the area and the long history of exchange and commerce
across the region.
References: Saad al-Jadir, Arab & Islamic Silver, Stacey International, 1981; Rajab, J.,
'Silver Jewellery of the Sultanate of Oman, Arts of Asia, July-August 1994; Splendeurs du
Maroc, Musee Royal de l'Afrique Central, Belgium, 1998; Hoek, C. et al, Ethnic Jewellery
from Africa, Asia and Pacific Islands, The Pepin Press, 2004; and The Israel Museum
Jerusalem, Harry N Abrams, 2005.
Inventory no.: 567
Yemen/Oman
19th century
length of amulet box without attachments: 14.5 cm; height: 12 cm
length of box and chains: 66 cm
Amulet boxes such as these were worn around the neck as protective devices. This stunning
example is of high-grade silver with a front that is decorated with dozens of bands finely
worked silver filigree, applied sun-motif disks and various geometric silver lozenges. Overall,
the box is an exceptionally fine example of what is most probably Jewish silver-work made for
local Islamic tastes.
Seven cabochon agate or carnelian pendants have been hung from the base of the amulet
which in turn is suspended from a chain of 12 polished agate beads and 12 silver beads with
applied granular work and strung on a brown woollen cord threaded through an incised white
metal toggle. The roughly-hewn agate/carnelian pendants lend much charm to the overall
aesthetic of the piece. (Carnelian was the stone that the Prophet Mohammed reputedly wore
mounted in a ring.) These, like the beads, also have clear age.
The first silver bead on either side is has applied silver grains of barley motifs - a recurring
motif in Yemenite jewellery and are archaic symbols of fertility. The Israel Museum in
Jerusalem has a string of such beads which it describes as a necklace worn by Jewish brides
in San'a, Yemen. As elsewhere, the art of silver-smithing in Yemen became an almost
exclusively Jewish occupation.
Boxes such as these were worn in Saudi Arabia, Oman and Yemen. Amulet boxes are also
important in the Maghreb. Christie's in London had a gold example attributed to Saudi Arabia
at its 'Islamic Art and Manuscripts' auction of October 12, 2004 (lot 157 - price realised: 8,365
pounds). It is not surprising that amulet boxes should be sourced from across northern Africa
and the Middle East given the migration of Jewish silver and gold smiths, the nomadic nature
of many of the communities in the area and the long history of exchange and commerce
across the region.
References: Saad al-Jadir, Arab & Islamic Silver, Stacey International, 1981; Rajab, J.,
'Silver Jewellery of the Sultanate of Oman, Arts of Asia, July-August 1994; Splendeurs du
Maroc, Musee Royal de l'Afrique Central, Belgium, 1998; Hoek, C. et al, Ethnic Jewellery
from Africa, Asia and Pacific Islands, The Pepin Press, 2004; and The Israel Museum
Jerusalem, Harry N Abrams, 2005.
Inventory no.: 567
