Rare Silver Upper-Arm Amulet (Bazuband)

This fine example of an upper-arm amulet (bazuband) is from northern India, Pakistan or Afghanistan. It is curved and shaped to fit part-way around the upper arm and comprises two closed, faceted, hollow silver tubes that taper at either end and which are joined along the middle length by a pierced silver strap.

The tubes are chased all over in light relief with flower and leaf motifs against a tooled background.

The tubes most probably enclose Koranic verses giving the item a talismanic or protective function.

The reverse is fitted with four silver eyelets through which cords would have been threaded to tie the item to the upper arm.

Examples of bazubands of related form and attributed to the Hazara people of Afghanistan are illustrated in Seiwert (2009, p. 182).

The item here has a pleasing shape, and could be worn as a pendant, suspended from the neck.