Amulets were worn throughout the Islamic region by men, women and children to help protect them from all the dangers of everyday life. Written inscriptions or pieces of material with magical or religious associations were often enclosed in containers, and the shape of these containers, a triangle, rectangle or cylinder, was so associated with its amuletic purpose that it was often assumed to have the same value as its original contents, regardless of whether or not it contained anything, or could even open.

This necklace was described as "Modern Egyptian. Worn as amulets by Egyptian ladies" when it was acquired by the Museum in 1869. Its name was recorded as Hegabs, the same word which is more commonly used for the veil with which Moslem women cover their hair.