Amulet holder thumbnail 1
Amulet holder thumbnail 2
Not currently on display at the V&A

Amulet holder

Amulet Holder
1860-1870 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This amulet case was bought for the Museum in 1872, at the International Exhibition in London, as a typical example of Turkish craftsmanship. The Museum bought jewellery from many other countries at the same time to augment its existing collections of traditional jewellery. The main purpose of all these acquisitions was to help improve the quality of design among British artisans.

It is typical of good quality traditional Turkish silver work of the time. It is made of high standard silver, as shown by the tughra silver mark on the back, and the delicate filigree front is further embellished with touches of enamel and set with a green paste. A piece of red metallic foil has been slipped under the filigree to show it at its best.

This amulet case would have been worn hanging from a chain attached to the two loops at the sides.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleAmulet holder (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Sheet silver with silver-gilt filigree decoration with black enamel and set with a green paste
Brief description
Triangular silver amulet holder with enamel and silver-gilt filigree decoration set with a green paste, Turkey, 1860-1870.
Physical description
Triangular silver amulet case made of sheet silver with an open silver-gilt filigree plaque over a piece of red metallic foil on the front. There are three tiny hearts on the filigree front, containing a black substance like enamel, surrounding a green paste. There is a sliding lid along the top with a knob in its centre. There are nine loops attached to the two lower sides. The top two each have a loose ring for suspension, and the other seven have flat pendants: five discs, with wire rosettes on the front, and two shaped like an animal hide.
Dimensions
  • Width: 6cm
Style
Marks and inscriptions
  • SAH mark. (On the front, on the filigree part.)
  • Tughra. (On the back.)
Summary
This amulet case was bought for the Museum in 1872, at the International Exhibition in London, as a typical example of Turkish craftsmanship. The Museum bought jewellery from many other countries at the same time to augment its existing collections of traditional jewellery. The main purpose of all these acquisitions was to help improve the quality of design among British artisans.

It is typical of good quality traditional Turkish silver work of the time. It is made of high standard silver, as shown by the tughra silver mark on the back, and the delicate filigree front is further embellished with touches of enamel and set with a green paste. A piece of red metallic foil has been slipped under the filigree to show it at its best.

This amulet case would have been worn hanging from a chain attached to the two loops at the sides.
Collection
Accession number
818-1873

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Record createdApril 1, 2003
Record URL
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