Author
Unknown
Publication Date
1860
Publication Place
Lebanon (made) -
Subject
Magic Square
Type
Other
Language
Undetermined
Digital
Yes
Manuscript
No
Physical Dimensions
Length: 2.7cm, Height: 2.7cm
Library
Victoria and Albert Museum
Library Asset ID
87-1873
Record ID
87-1873
Library Location
Middle East Section
Date
1860
Notes
Amulets, which were believed to protect the owner against harm of all kind, were widely worn in the Islamic world. They could take many forms. This little silver square is engraved with a careful pattern of Arabic characters which form a âmagic squareâ. Magic squares can contain numbers or letters. Their potency derives from the way in which they are arranged, where the numbers typically add up to the same sum in each direction, and the letters form words or phrases with hidden meanings.
Sample Text
Note Inscription; decoration
Malzemeler ve teknikler
Engraved sheet silver Silver
Fiziksel açıklama
Square of sheet silver with the front divided into 25 squares, each containing an Arabic character. There is a small hole for suspension drilled in the centre of the top side.
