Amulet Item Number: 3420/65 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Rectangular metal amulet with concave or "pinched" sides. The amulet contains layers of rectangles, diamonds, and triangles in silver with gold and copper. A raised silver sphere is set at centre. The front is etched with geometric designs and script. Strung on a cord of five thin strips of leather, which attaches at both upper corners of the amulet. Two large dark red leather tassels hang on either side of the amulet, and are each wrapped with black and white checkerboard pattern bands and other colours. Back marked with five small vertical lines, one above two rows of two, with a horizontal line between the two rows of two.
History Of Use
These amulet pendants (3420/64-69), with inscribed decoration, contain folded pieces of paper with verses of protective prayers. The prayers are written by a marabot (Islamic teacher), copied from the Qur’an. Before being sealed inside their protective pendant, the amulet is blessed using incense.
Item History
- Made in Mali
- Owned by Richard Tchuemegne before February 5, 2020
- Received from Richard Tchuemegne (Seller), Michael O'Brian Family Foundation (Funding source) and Museum of Anthropology Exhibitions Budget (Funding source) on February 5, 2020
What
- Name
- Amulet
- Identification Number
- 3420/65
- Type of Item
- amulet
- Material
- silver alloy metal, copper alloy metal and metal
- Overall
- height 42.0 cm, width 16.0 cm, depth 2.5 cm
Who
- Culture
- Tuareg
- Previous Owner
- Richard Tchuemegne
- Received from
- Richard Tchuemegne (Seller), Michael O'Brian Family Foundation (Funding source) and Museum of Anthropology Exhibitions Budget (Funding source)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Mali
When
- Ownership Date
- before February 5, 2020
- Acquisition Date
- on February 5, 2020
Other
- Item Classes
- metalwork
- Condition
- good
- Accession Number
- 3420/0065