Al-Qur’an al-Karim: Sacred Verses, Beautiful Pages
(from 8th Mar until 1st Jul 2012)Discover the Qur’an as a source of artistic inspiration and expression in this selection of works on paper.
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Bazuband, or amulet case, with Qur’anic inscription
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Description
These elaborate boxes are known as bazuband (armband) because they were tied to the arm using string. Used as amulet cases, they may well have also been employed to store miniature Qur’ans, or select verses of the revelation considered to hold special protective powers.
The talismanic nature of these objects is confirmed by the verses used in the inscriptions decorating them. The basmala (an Islamic formula that reads ‘in the name of God, the Merciful and the Compassionate’) appears at the centre of the cover of this box, which is further decorated with two concentric circles. These are inscribed with Qur’anic verses that speak of the rewards awaiting those who fight for the cause of God (Qur’an, 9:111) and address the power of the evil eye (Qur’an, 68:51-52).
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Details
- Associated place
- Date
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19th century (1801 - 1900)
Qajar Period (1779 - 1925)
- Material and technique
- silver, with engraved and incised decoration
- Dimensions
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1.5 cm (height)
5.9 cm (diameter)
with fittings 9.1 cm (width)
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container › case › amulet-case,
- No. of items
- 1
- Credit line
- Bequeathed by Christopher T. Gandy, 2012.
- Accession no.
- EA2012.95
Past Exhibition
see (1)
Location
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- currently in research collection
Objects are sometimes moved to a different location. Our object location data is usually updated on a monthly basis. Contact the Jameel Study Centre if you are planning to visit the museum to see a particular object on display, or would like to arrange an appointment to see an object in our reserve collections.
Notice
Objects from past exhibitions may have now returned to our stores or a lender. Click into an individual object record to confirm whether or not an object is currently on display. Our object location data is usually updated on a monthly basis, so please contact the Jameel Study Centre if you are planning to visit the museum to see a particular Eastern Art object.
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