Beads

Unknown

19th–early 20th century · Silver · Islamic Art

Strings of beads of this type are used in several parts of the Islamic world to facilitate focus and concentration during prayer. This set probably once contained either 99 or 100 beads, though some have been lost since the string was originally fabricated. In addition to being used while engaged in devotional acts, these types of beads may also have been displayed on the interior walls of dwellings, where they served as protection from the evil eye.

Artist

Unknown

Date

19th–early 20th century

Medium

Silver

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Gift of Marguerite McBey, 1981