About this work
Silver-alloy necklace composed of numerous box-shaped amulet pendants (tälsäm) meant to ward off the evil eye or other dangers, linked to Islamic amuletic practices and held effective whether empty or containing magical or prayerful texts.
Original catalogue wording
Silver-alloy necklace composed of numerous box-shaped amulet pendants (tälsäm) meant to ward off the evil eye or other dangers, linked to Islamic amuletic practices and held effective whether empty or containing magical or prayerful texts. The fine filigree and granulation work is characteristic of Harar as well as the Ethiopian Orthodox Christian city of Aksum. Ornate filigree jewelry was historically made in Ethiopia for royals and nobility by specialized silversmiths trained through long apprenticeships.
Source classification: silver amulet necklace
- Date
- late 1800s or early 1900s
- Object type
- Jewellery & adornment
- Recorded place
- Africa, East Africa, Ethiopia, unknown silversmith
- Holding institution
- The Cleveland Museum of Art
- Accession
- 2025.152