four sided pendant with curved sides; slightly domed; stepped; open tube at top for hanging cord; round elements on bottom points; some delicate engraved patterns of zigzags, wavy lines, triangles, football shapes; copper and brass elements; round finial at center; engraved inscription at top right of center

Amulet container, late 1800s

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On View in Gallery 242expand_more

Tuareg men and women wear metal amulets containing Qur’anic verses and other protective messages suspended from cords around their necks. The large example is especially rare because of an inscription incised on the outside in Tifinar script, which is related to ancient Libyan scripts dating to 150 BCE. The inscription, whose letters are made up of lines, circles, and dots, reads from right to left and transcribes as NK SDLMQTR G XLYFA. It means, “I am Mr. Lmqtar Khalifa,” likely referring to a previous

owner.

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Details
Title
Amulet container
Role
Artist
Accession Number
2014.11
Curator Approved

This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.

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four sided pendant with curved sides; slightly domed; stepped; open tube at top for hanging cord; round elements on bottom points; some delicate engraved patterns of zigzags, wavy lines, triangles, football shapes; copper and brass elements; round finial at center; engraved inscription at top right of center