Vintage boghdad (amulet) pendant from Mauritania
A small boghdad pendant was made in the 1990s and features raised granulation and engraving. The central raised element is decorated with wood or bone. An unusual item.
Date:
Late 20th century
Material:
Low grade silver and wood/bone
Dimensions:
4.0 cm (h) x 3.5 cm (w)
Weight:
17 g
Ref:
AMU-118
References:
Fisher, A. (1998). Africa Adorned. New York: H. Abrams, pp. 218 & 222.
An amulet (hirz in Arabic) is an object worn by a person as a form of protection. It is believed to ward off all danger and protect the person from all harm. Often it will be combined with beads or worn on a chain as a piece of jewellery. Some amulets contain verses from the Qur'an as perceived added protection. The amulets in our collection include Tuareg tcherot, Yemeni prayer boxes, boghdad and Tuareg crosses.
