Collections: Arts of the Islamic World: Amulet Box

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Amulet Box

• Medium: Gold and enamel
• Place Made: Iran
• Dates: 19th century
• Dynasty: Qajar
• Period: Qajar
• Dimensions: 7/8 x 1 7/8 in., 0.1 lb. (2.3 x 4.8 cm)
• Collections: Arts of the Islamic World
• Museum Location: This item is on view in Arts of the Islamic World, 2nd Floor
• Accession Number: 86.193
• Credit Line: Purchased with funds given by Mrs. Carl L. Selden and an anonymous donor in memory of Charles K. Wilkinson and the Special Middle Eastern Art Fund
• Image: Overall, 86.193.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
Amulet Box, 19th century. Gold and enamel, 7/8 x 1 7/8 in., 0.1 lb. (2.3 x 4.8 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Purchased with funds given by Mrs. Carl L. Selden and an anonymous donor in memory of Charles K. Wilkinson and the Special Middle Eastern Art Fund, 86.193 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 86.193.jpg)
• Catalogue Description: Small oval-shaped amuletic case, with a hinged, slightly-domed lid, in gold with repousse and engraving and polychrome enamel decoration. Decoration depicts flowers - including a central rose, poppies, and other species - on top of lid, and birds and flowers on side of the body. The decoration loosely falls into the gol o bolbol, or bird-and-flower, motif that found great popularity in Iran during the Safavid period and which culminated in the decoration of lacquer objects under the Zand and Qajar dynasties. The base decorated with blue enamel and gold flowers, and the inside of the lid with green enamel. The two small suspension loops indicate the amuletic function.