HvWO 057V

Omani antique silver amulet
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Omani antique silver amulet

 

Scarce Omani silver Taswira figure (fertility symbols) Sometimes described as "stylized figure of a pregnant woman. 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.

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. 

antique omani silver amulet

 

Arab name:Taswirah

Period: 1850-1950

Origin: Oman Zanzibar   (typically made in the interior)

References:
  1. Oman Adorned by Pauline Shelton  Robert Richmond  Miranda Morris / 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
  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
  7. Traditional silver jewelry and handicrafts from Oman 2009 by Jean Greffioz 68
  8. British Museum has a similar item in their on-line collection number 2009,6023.220 length 8 cm
  9. The National Museum of Oman Highlights published by Scala Arts & Heritage publishers in  2016 page 45