Silver - Amulet - Zar amulet

This is a silver Egyptian Zar amulet from the 1930s with Arabic calligraphy and bells. The piece is a pendant worn during rituals, specifically for the Zar ritual meant to ward off or soothe evil spirits. Such amulets are often round, made of silver, and contain inscriptions such as verses from the Quran, notably the 'Throne Verse' (Ayat al-Kursi). They are often worn by those taking part in the ritual, sometimes as protection for the rest of their lives.

The pendant often depicts a stylized image of a spirit or a mermaid figure (Sitti Safina) together with Quranic verses.

The three stamps indicate that it is 0.600 silver, made in Cairo in 1941-1942.

Dimensions: 4.4x4.4 cm without bells
Weight: 16 g