Necklace
1860-1870 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
The traditional jewellery of the Syrian region, which incorporated much of Palestine, Jordan and Lebanon as well as Syria itself in the 19th century, shows influences from a wide range of sources, reflecting Syria’s strong trading traditions and central location. The jewellery worn in towns, which is often Ottoman in style, is frequently very different from that worn by the nomadic Bedouin, whose characteristic silver jewellery is much better known today.
This necklace was described as a ‘hirz’ when it was acquired by the Museum. The word ‘hirz’ means an amulet case, and refers to all three pendants. Although there is no evidence that any of them ever opened, or indeed contained anything at all, the shapes alone were considered sufficient to act as a defence against evil powers. The necklace was bought for seven shillings at the International Exhibition, London, in 1872, as an example of traditional Syrian jewellery.
This necklace was described as a ‘hirz’ when it was acquired by the Museum. The word ‘hirz’ means an amulet case, and refers to all three pendants. Although there is no evidence that any of them ever opened, or indeed contained anything at all, the shapes alone were considered sufficient to act as a defence against evil powers. The necklace was bought for seven shillings at the International Exhibition, London, in 1872, as an example of traditional Syrian jewellery.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Materials and techniques | Silver chain and filigree set with a red paste |
Brief description | Silver chain with a triangular silver filigree amulet case (Hirz) set with a red paste, and two silver filigree cylindrical amulet cases, Syria, 1860-1870. |
Physical description | Three amulet cases on a long silver figure-of-eight chain. The central amulet case is triangular with a sheet silver back and a filigree front set with a red paste in its centre. There are five loops attached to its lower sides each holding a leaf-shaped filigree pendant. This central triangular case is flanked on each side by a cylindrical filigree case with four comma-shaped pendants hanging from its lower edge. None of the amulet cases opens. |
Dimensions |
|
Summary | The traditional jewellery of the Syrian region, which incorporated much of Palestine, Jordan and Lebanon as well as Syria itself in the 19th century, shows influences from a wide range of sources, reflecting Syria’s strong trading traditions and central location. The jewellery worn in towns, which is often Ottoman in style, is frequently very different from that worn by the nomadic Bedouin, whose characteristic silver jewellery is much better known today. This necklace was described as a ‘hirz’ when it was acquired by the Museum. The word ‘hirz’ means an amulet case, and refers to all three pendants. Although there is no evidence that any of them ever opened, or indeed contained anything at all, the shapes alone were considered sufficient to act as a defence against evil powers. The necklace was bought for seven shillings at the International Exhibition, London, in 1872, as an example of traditional Syrian jewellery. |
Collection | |
Accession number | 1560-1873 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
Record created | April 8, 2003 |
Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest