HvWO 057

Omani antique silver amulet with stylized figures ( fertility symbols)

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Omani antique silver amulets, so called Taswira figures

 

Very Rare Omani silver Taswirah figure (worn by children or by women as fertility talismans) with unusually fine detailed decoration. Although the representation of the human form is generally forbidden in Islam, the pre-Islamic tradition survived in the making of a variety of amulets. Weight 25 grams. Length 7 cm.

Ref 5 Mols: 'Another shape invested with magical protective powers is an abstracted human figure, the taswira. This amulet is unique to Oman. For children it was believed to ward off evil influences, while in the case of a woman, the taswira supposedly enhanced her fertility.

 Omani Silver fertility amulet

Arab names: Taswira / Taswirah figures

Period: 1850-1950

Origin: Central and Northern Oman (typically made in the interior)

References:
  1. Oman Adorned, a portrait in silver  by Pauline Shelton  Robert Richmond / Apex London 1997 p 107
  2. Ruth Hawley Silver the traditional Art of Oman (2000 edition) p 25
  3.  Richardson & Dorr The craft heritage of Oman p 442 item 046
  4. A tribute to Oman The Sultanates Yearbook: 1993/1994 "Safe and Sound" by Robert Richmond Apex  p 192
  5. Catalog of the Oman exhibition in the Nieuwe Kerk Amsterdam 2009 page 137 ;
  6. Disappearing treasures of Oman 1998 by Avelyn Foster 48 fig 34; Traditional silver jewelry and handicrafts from Oman 2009 by Jean Greffioz p 68
  7. Oman Faces and places, articles from PDO News magazine 2009 p 138
  8. PDO News No 4/1992 Oman silver Jewelry by Rebecca Brickson p 28
  9. British Museum similar item  1950's Length: 8 centimetres (pendant) Width: 4.5 centimetres Museum reg: 2009,6023.220
  10. The National Museum of Oman Highlights published by Scala Arts & Heritage publishers in  2016 page 45