Harvard Art Museums > 1963.80: Silver Amulet Box Boxes Collections Search Exit Deep Zoom Mode Zoom Out Zoom In Reset Zoom Full Screen Add to Collection Order Image Copy Link Copy Citation Citation"Silver Amulet Box (Unknown Artist) , 1963.80,” Harvard Art Museums collections online, May 29, 2023, https://hvrd.art/o/216048. Reuse via IIIF Toggle Deep Zoom Mode Download This object does not yet have a description. Identification and Creation Object Number 1963.80 People Unknown Artist Title Silver Amulet Box Classification Boxes Work Type box Date 19th century Places Creation Place: Middle East, Iran Period Qajar period Culture Persian Persistent Link https://hvrd.art/o/216048 Physical Descriptions Medium Silver Dimensions 7 cm (2 3/4 in.) Acquisition and Rights Credit Line Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Chester A. Priest Accession Year 1963 Object Number 1963.80 Division Asian and Mediterranean Art Contact am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu Permissions The Harvard Art Museums encourage the use of images found on this website for personal, noncommercial use, including educational and scholarly purposes. To request a higher resolution file of this image, please submit an online request. Descriptions Description Amulet boxes such as these were worn in pairs, with a piece of cloth passing through the loops on the side to attach one box to each upper arm. In the center of each box lid is the bismallah, written in such a way as to form a pseudo-magic square. Around the edge of the lid and around the body are verses from the Quran. The boxes would also have contained miniature Qurans. The Quran was believed to have protective qualities, and so these amulets would have protected the wearer from harm, disease, misfortune, and the evil eye, and would have afforded him or her a general sense of well-being. Notes from the Glory and Prosperity exhibition, Feb - June 2002. Verification Level This record was created from historic documentation and may not have been reviewed by a curator; it may be inaccurate or incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of Asian and Mediterranean Art at am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
