Amulet, oblong, carved flower and leaf design for insetting and inlay, white nephrite jade, carved, Varanasi, early 20th century

An amulet of generally oblong form with straight sides and gently, three-scalloped, rounded ends that have a small spike-like protrusion in each of the clefts. In the middle of one of the sides there is a elongated, rectangular protrusion that has a hole drilled parallel to the length of the object and lying in the same plane. Fashioned in white nephrite jade, it has been given a smooth, silky polish on both faces and the front has been carved and engraved in a flower and leaf design to give shallow cavities for the insetting and inlaying of stones and gold. There is no evidence of the setting or inlaying of materials into the amulet which suggests that the object was left unfinished.

Gift from R. W. Skelton

This amulet was given to The Victoria & Albert Museum by R. W. Skelton, in 1967. The records state that it was obtained from Shaikh Hakimullah of the Haqaq Tola (lit. Lapidary Quarter), Raja Darwaza in Benares (Varanasi). It also states that Shaikh Hakimullah said that it had been made by his grandfather, Haji Azzizullah alias Jullan Mian, who had died circa 1950, aged about 85 years.

An amulet is made to protect the wearer from harm or misfortune, in this case it was to provide protection from palpitation. It has been fashioned in white nephrite jade and carved with recesses that would have been inset with gold and gems. Considering the materials that would have been used as well as the workmanship involved, it would have been intended for a person of some means.

IS.22-1967