Object Assessment - M.0090 Islamic Charm

M.0090 is comprised of multiple elements (Figs.1,2) suspended on a purple plant fibre cord; six closed leather amulet cases, a ferrous knife with a wooden handle in a wood and leather sheath and a hide globular container. It was accompanied by a handwritten label listing the item as ‘charms bought from a cannibal who was muslim’, containing parchment with parts of the Qur’an (Fig.3). An x-ray of the object (Fig. 4) did not show any distinct  elements within the amulet cases, supporting this assumption.  

There is incised and painted decoration on the front of some of the amulet cases and the sheath and incised lines in the blade. The patterns used are not consistent and the leather elements show varying levels of surface abrasion including loss of surface colour and decoration as well as tears and scratches in the leather. In some areas the leather has become rigid and some of the seams are open or have broken threads. There is surface bloom on one of the cases and evidence of corrosion on the knife and a break in the blade. The cord has some light damage and three broken areas.

Written Qur’anic amulets are personal items and are often, made to confer a specific of boon such as protection, cures, fertility or wealth. Similar items in other institutions enabled the identification of the globular container as a kohl bottle (Fig. 5).

While the origin of this object is currently unconfirmed, it may be from West Africa, perhaps Nigeria. Kohl is a traditional eye cosmetic in Northern Africa and amulets are a current aspect of Islamic practice in the area . Similar amulet cases and kohl bottles came from this region (Fig. 6). M.0090 entered the UCL Ethnographic Collections from the collections of the Christian Missionary Society (CMS). The CMS has worked in Northern Africa since 1804, including Nigeria, an area that CMS publications associate with cannibalism.

There are examples of amulet cases with better craftsmanship or more ornate decoration, however very few have everyday items such as portable cosmetics and a knife hanging on the same cord. The variety in use-wear and decoration may suggest that the amulets were collected over time, something which is does not appear to apply to other amulet groups. The ability of this item to convey a personal history over time makes this group significant, particularly in its current purpose for the study of anthropology.