Eight Bedouin amulets, most of them made of silver and decorated in niello. Jordan (Irbid / As-Salt), [first half of 20th century].
Silver, niello; silver coins; silver thread; tinplate.
1. Droplet-shaped pendant, inscribed (in niello) with verses from the Qur'an offering protection and defense. Marked. 11X4.5 cm.
2. Necklace / head ornament. Large, droplet shaped amulet pendant, from which chains with Russian and Islamic coins are suspended. Pendant decorated in niello, with illustration of flowers in vase. Suspended above pendant is egg-like ornament in filigree. 46X8 cm.
3. Large, droplet shaped amulet pendant, from which chains with cast ornaments and silver coins are suspended. Pendant with star and crescent in niello. Egg-shaped ornament in filigree suspended above pendant. 24X6.5 cm.
4. Chain with triangular pendant with an illustration in niello of a mosque and trees. Bells and silver disks dangle from the pendant; largest disk inlaid in center with bead. Pendant hollow, enabling use as amulet case; lid slides sideways. 52X7.5 cm.
5. Chain with fish-shaped pendant decorated in niello. Chain with ornaments suspended from pendant. Pendant hollow, enabling use as amulet case. 36X8 cm.
6-8. Three tin amulet cases, all of them sealed and most likely house their original amulets. One amulet case triangular, another rectangular, and third cylindrical. 10X4.5 cm; 9X2.5 cm; 8.5X6 cm.
Reference: Pracht und Geheimnis, item nos. 405, 416.