Necklace with a Compartment for Magical Texts
Ottoman dynasty (1299–1923), 18th/19th century
Medium
Silver
Dimensions
Amulet: 5.9 × 5.7 × 1.1 cm (2 5/16 × 2 1/4 × 7/16 in.); Overall chain with amulet: H.: 66 cm (26 in.)
Classification
jewelry
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
13694
Art Historical Context
This exquisite silver necklace from the Ottoman dynasty, dating to the 18th or 19th century, exemplifies the blend of artistry and spirituality in Islamic jewelry traditions. Crafted as a wearable amulet measuring just 5.9 × 5.7 × 1.1 cm, it hangs from a 66 cm chain, designed for intimate, everyday protection. The small compartment within the pendant was ingeniously intended to hold rolled scraps of paper inscribed with magical texts—often Quranic verses, prayers, or invocations believed to ward off evil, illness, or misfortune. In Ottoman culture, such talismans, known as *ta'wiz* or *hilye*...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...