Amulet case, silver and parcel-gilt silver inlaid with niello
Iran or Afghanistan; 10th-11th century
L: 11.2; Diam: 3.5 cm
Inventory number 1/1997
Deep-black niello is an alloy of silver, lead, copper, or bismuth sulfides that is ground into a powder and then melted into depressions in the object. There is a striking contrast between the shiny polished silver and the black niello. More tones can be obtained by parcel gilding the silver.
Amulet cases have been known since the early Islamic period. They could be opened and contained invocations or quotations of varying lengths from the Koran. Many amulets are finely decorated like jewelry and were worn either openly or under the clothing.
The Kufi inscription of the cylindrical amulet case expresses only general wishes for good luck for its owner. Its detailed ornamentation exploits the tones of silver, gold, and niello in a refined fashion.
Amulet cases have been known since the early Islamic period. They could be opened and contained invocations or quotations of varying lengths from the Koran. Many amulets are finely decorated like jewelry and were worn either openly or under the clothing.
The Kufi inscription of the cylindrical amulet case expresses only general wishes for good luck for its owner. Its detailed ornamentation exploits the tones of silver, gold, and niello in a refined fashion.
Published in
Published in
Kjeld von Folsach: Art from the World of Islam in The David Collection, Copenhagen 2001, cat.no. 465;
Joachim Meyer: “Ornament or symbol. Around an early group of silver amulet cases in the David Collection” in Journal of the David Collection, 2021, 5, fig. 1, pp. 8-9, 13 and figs. 5 og 6, pp. 12-15, 16, 19-20;
Joachim Meyer: “Ornament or symbol. Around an early group of silver amulet cases in the David Collection” in Journal of the David Collection, 2021, 5, fig. 1, pp. 8-9, 13 and figs. 5 og 6, pp. 12-15, 16, 19-20;
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