Publication Date
Late thirteenth-early fourteenth century / late nineteenth-early twentieth century
Publication Place
-
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Glasgow Museums
Subject
Molded and colored glass.
Type
Other
Language
Undetermined
Digital
Yes
Manuscript
No
Physical Dimensions
القطر: 2 سم
Library
Museum With No Frontiers
Library Asset ID
1912.6.h.1
Record ID
object;ISL;uk;Mus04;42;ar
Library Location
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Glasgow Museums
Date
Late thirteenth-early fourteenth century / late nineteenth-early twentieth century
Notes
'Eye of Envy', a blue amulet made in the form of a disc of molded blue glass, decorated with a colorful series of circles of decreasing size: yellow, then white, then a black dot in the centre. It may be a bead among a group of similar beads, because it is perforated on one side to be arranged on a string. It is possible that this type of glass 'eye' was attached to clothing or head coverings. Blue eyes, according to popular Islamic belief, are called the evil eye; One wears it to repel negative forces and reflect them onto the eyes of envious offenders, and in this way protects the wearer from the consequences of envy, which is believed to cause illness or misfortune. Eyes like these can be made roughly in the shape of this bead, or they can be drawn with precision and quality indicative of craftsmanship, as found in gold or silver jewelry; But quality has no effect on protective power. Simple blue beads are also believed to play a similar protective role, and are sometimes used in place of the evil eye.
Sample Text
Noorah Al-Gailani, Noorah Al-Gailani "Amulet of the 'Eye of Envy'" in Discover Islamic Art. Museum Without Borders, 2026. https://islamicart.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=object;ISL;uk;Mus04;42;ar
