A silver necklace with a pear-shaped silver amulet known as a maska. Engraved on one side of the maska are the words 'In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, O Guardian, O Honest One', and on the other side there is a square seal which contains the numbers 2478. According to numerical analysis, this is a love amulet. However, there appears to be a defect in the seal numbers, as the number to be expected here is 2468, which are the first even numbers per the older Arabic alphabet. These numbers form the word 'Badouh', which is an anagram of the words for affection and love, which are frequently depicted in love amulets. Here the number 6 has, for unknown reasons, been replaced by the number 7. On the edges of the seal are the names of the four archangels, Israfil (Raphael), Azrael, Mikael (Michael) and Jibrael (Gabriel). Suspended by chains attached to the maska are four small metal coins.
Town
Palestine
Materials
Silver
Width
6.5 cm
Length
59.5 cm
Collection
Use
An amulet that was worn both as spiritual protection and as an accessory, and believed to be a love amulet
Donated by
Committee for the Preservation of Palestinian Heritage (CPPH) in Washington, D.C.