DepartmentMiddle East

Khiyar

NameNecklace; cucumber amulet

Dateca. 1900

Place madeMiddle East, Asia

Mediumsilver

Dimensionsoverall: 51 CM X 12 CM

Credit LineIFAF Collection

Object numberFA.1972.25.1 N

Collections

Palestinian Dress and Jewelry

DescriptionWith horizontal barrel amulet. Chain supports ten large coins with blue beads; five large coins with blue beads hang from amulet.

FA. 72.25-ln Khiyar (ca. 1900) (Fig. 46) This cylindrical silver amulet is known in Arabic as a khiyār (“cucumber"). It is hollow and contains a scroll with religious writings. From the tube are suspended five chains, each ending in a silver coin dating from A.H. 1223 (A.D. 1808–9) and a glass bead. There are also five coins and glass beads on each side of the silver chain of figure-eight links to which the khiyar is attached. This style of amulet has parallels throughout the Islamic world. 23 Length of chain: 51 cm. (Palestinian Costume and Jewelry, Yedida Kalfon Stillman, 1979 ISBN: 0-82630490-7)