Antique Omani Hirz Amulet Necklace | Silver & Gilt Qur’an Holder | 19th Century
Description
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Historical Context & Origin
Region: Oman, Arabian Peninsula
Material: Silver with filigree work and gold-tone accents (likely gilding)
Period: 19th Century CE
Description
This exquisite Omani Koran holder necklace, known as a hirz or hezam, is a rare and beautiful example of 19th-century Islamic jewelry. At its center is a rectangular compartment traditionally used to hold protective verses or religious scrolls, embodying both spiritual and functional significance. Suspended from a multi-strand chain and adorned with delicate dangles, the necklace is at once a symbol of faith, protection, and artistry.
Features
- Central rectangular compartment for housing holy verses or amulets
- Intricate silver filigree with gold-tone highlights enhancing its elegance
- Decorative dangles and multi-strand chain for added aesthetic and symbolic depth
- Both spiritual object and wearable heirloom passed down through generations
Cultural Significance
In Oman and across the Islamic world, hirz necklaces were worn as protective amulets, bringing the wearer closer to divine protection while warding off negative forces. Beyond their spiritual role, they also carried deep familial value, often passed down as heirlooms that united devotion, tradition, and artistry.
Condition
The necklace remains in excellent preserved condition, with filigree detailing intact and traces of original gilding. Subtle age-related wear adds authenticity and character to this spiritual adornment.
Dimensions (approximate)
Height: 17 in
Width: 4 in
Age
19th Century CE
Description
Historical Context & Origin
Region: Oman, Arabian Peninsula
Material: Silver with filigree work and gold-tone accents (likely gilding)
Period: 19th Century CE
Description
This exquisite Omani Koran holder necklace, known as a hirz or hezam, is a rare and beautiful example of 19th-century Islamic jewelry. At its center is a rectangular compartment traditionally used to hold protective verses or religious scrolls, embodying both spiritual and functional significance. Suspended from a multi-strand chain and adorned with delicate dangles, the necklace is at once a symbol of faith, protection, and artistry.
Features
- Central rectangular compartment for housing holy verses or amulets
- Intricate silver filigree with gold-tone highlights enhancing its elegance
- Decorative dangles and multi-strand chain for added aesthetic and symbolic depth
- Both spiritual object and wearable heirloom passed down through generations
Cultural Significance
In Oman and across the Islamic world, hirz necklaces were worn as protective amulets, bringing the wearer closer to divine protection while warding off negative forces. Beyond their spiritual role, they also carried deep familial value, often passed down as heirlooms that united devotion, tradition, and artistry.
Condition
The necklace remains in excellent preserved condition, with filigree detailing intact and traces of original gilding. Subtle age-related wear adds authenticity and character to this spiritual adornment.
Dimensions (approximate)
Height: 17 in
Width: 4 in
Age
19th Century CE
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