Additional information
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Large Silver Mende Amulet
Vintage images from Sierra Leone show chiefs wearing similar regalia around their necks with smaller amulets encircling hats. Such talismans owe their origins to the silver work of Tuareg and Arab smiths, as well as to the leather amulets worn by the Fulani and Hausa. In turn, the Fulani and Hausa were inspired by the Tuareg and, indirectly, people of North Africa and the Levant, who donned phylacteries as an honor to their God and as protection. This large amulet, made of beaten silver coin, is a skeuomorph of leather kitaabs constructed of hide that are worn on the arms and headbands of Saharan herdsmen and caravaneers. Such amulets, like this box, are said to contain written scriptures from the Koran that bless and protect the owner. Writing inscribed on the panel in Roman letters give the name of the original owner along with some Arabic script.
10″ W
