A big Koran or amulet holder worn among the Tekke Turkmens of northern Afghanistan by old women. Placed in such holders were handwritten suras from the Koran or paper amulets as good-luck charms. Due to protracted use, the leather of this Koran holder has acquired patina. The original leather carrying strap is preserved. It is covered in ten small rectangular silver plates and a single finishing triangular one. A larger silver plate is on the leather at the front of the holder. Engraved upon the silver plates are the typical floral tendril-derived curve-motifs of the Tekke Turkmens. Additionally, the plates are decorated with silver wire and framed by cut and pierced bands of stylised ram’s head motifs. The flat upper surface of the silver at the rim is fire-gilded between the engravings (see cat. no. 151). The big plate on the holder carries 17 part-even, part-rounded cabochon carnelians. The ten small, rectangular plated on the strap carry each 5, and the triangular plate 3, cabochon carnelians. All carnelians individually set in silver. Given its age, the object presents with four plates lost from the carrying strap. The leather flaps securing the hanging of the strap at the back of the holder, have been restored. No other damage. Overall, an unusually large, old item. H: 17 cm, W: 20 cm (holder alone), L: 67 cm (holder with strap). Between the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. (ME)

Provenance: German Private Collection.

Lit.: 'Schmuck in Afghanistan' by Alfred Janata, ill. 60.3; 'Schmuck aus dem Herzen der Seidenstraße' by Johannes Kalter (Hoffmann Collection), ill. 147, 148.