Silver - Amulet - Two Zar amulets

Beautiful Egyptian silver Zar amulet from the 1940s. These silver pendants were worn during Zar rituals, a healing ceremony in Egypt. The piece is often rectangular and bears the inscription "MashAllah" (God willing), intended to protect the wearer. The amulet contains a silver case with an uneven number of bells (jalajil) beneath it.

A Zar amulet is a traditional Egyptian/Nubian piece of jewelry used to protect the wearer from evil spirits (Zar spirits) and to heal or calm possession. It is worn during rituals to communicate with these spirits and to gain their goodwill, often by wearing engraved inscriptions. The image on the amulet often represents a specific spirit invoked by the wearer. The mermaid is a recurring motif on such amulets.

Dimensions: 3.5 x 2 cm rectangle without bells
Weight: 8 g

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Here is also a Zar amulet from Egypt or Nubia from the 1940s with fine, open-work braiding in the center. The heart-shaped motifs and the stars (often Star of David) are typical of amulets from this region, where they served as protection or were used in the Zar ceremony, a traditional ritual against evil spirits.

Dimensions: 2.6 x 1.6 cm rectangle without bells
Weight: 5 g