Amuletsthe gallery← amulets.guru
South Asia · c. 300 BCE – today

Other & unsorted South Asia

What it is

Objects from this tradition that do not fit the types above, or whose catalogue records are too brief to sort further. Browse them for unusual forms.

History

India combines the protective systems of several religions. Hindu kavacha ('armour') prayers and yantras, Jain and Buddhist charms, Muslim ta'wiz and Sikh symbols are often worn by the same people. Planetary astrology (jyotisha) gave rise to the navaratna nine-gem jewel and to gemstones prescribed to balance the planets. Tigers' claws, rudraksha seeds and black thread against nazar (the evil eye) are pan-Indian. Mughal and Rajput courts made these amulets into jewellery of gold and precious stones, and British India turned the tiger claw into a Victorian fashion.

Making yours
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South Asia: the tradition

India combines the protective systems of several religions. Hindu kavacha ('armour') prayers and yantras, Jain and Buddhist charms, Muslim ta'wiz and Sikh symbols are often worn by the same people. Planetary astrology (jyotisha) gave rise to the navaratna nine-gem jewel and to gemstones prescribed to balance the planets. Tigers' claws, rudraksha seeds and black thread against nazar (the evil eye) are pan-Indian. Mughal and Rajput courts made these amulets into jewellery of gold and precious stones, and British India turned the tiger claw into a Victorian fashion.

See all 36, save the ones that feel rightAsk about having one made
LocketLocketNorthwestern India, Rajasthan, Rajput Kingdom of Jaipur · 1700sMiniature Votive StupaMiniature Votive StupaEastern India, Bihar · c. 1000sVotive Lamp (Deepa Lakshmi)Votive Lamp (Deepa Lakshmi)South India, Chingleput district (Madras), 18th-19th Century · 1700s-1800sStupa ReliquaryStupa ReliquarySri Lanka · Polonnaruva period, 12th centuryRitual horse, terracotta, painted, Gujarat, 1971Ritual horse, terracotta, painted, Gujarat, 1971Gujarat · 1971Flattened spherical reliquary in 2 parts, rock crystal, with small, inscribed steatite tablet, Sanchi, CentralFlattened spherical reliquary in 2 parts, rock crystal, with small, inscribed steatite tablet, Sanchi, CentralSanchi · 200 BC"Alexander is Lowered into the Sea", Folio from a Khamsa (Quintet) of Amir Khusrau Dihlavi"Alexander is Lowered into the Sea", Folio from a Khamsa (Quintet) of Amir Khusrau DihlaviIndia · 1597–98Layla and Majnun in the wilderness with animals, from a Khamsa (Quintet) of Amir Khusrau DihlaviLayla and Majnun in the wilderness with animals, from a Khamsa (Quintet) of Amir Khusrau Dihlavic. 1590–1600Bahram Gur Visits the Princess of India in the Black Pavilion (recto): Illustration and Text, Persian Verses, from a manuscript of the Khamsa of Nizami, Haft Paykar [Seven Portraits]Bahram Gur Visits the Princess of India in the Black Pavilion (recto): Illustration and Text, Persian Verses, from a manuscript of the Khamsa of Nizami, Haft Paykar [Seven Portraits]Iran, possibly Tabriz or Shiraz, Timurid Period, early 15th century · c. 1400–1410ServerServerNew York City · c. 1880–90Amir Khusrau Dedicates His Poem to Sultan Ala al-Din Khalji, page from the Quintet (Khamsa) of Amir Khusraw DehlaviAmir Khusrau Dedicates His Poem to Sultan Ala al-Din Khalji, page from the Quintet (Khamsa) of Amir Khusraw DehlaviIndia · Delhi Sultanate period (1206-1526) mid–15th centurycircular representation of Hanuman; Religion, brass, cast, Madrascircular representation of Hanuman; Religion, brass, cast, MadrasDeccanperlestrengperlestrengSiva; Jewellery, silver, stamped, Rajasthan, C19Siva; Jewellery, silver, stamped, Rajasthan, C1919th centuryAmulett (Tigerzahn)Amulett (Tigerzahn)IndiaAmir Khusrau, Khamsa W.624, fol. 115a, Detail, Layli visits Majnun in the wildernessAmir Khusrau, Khamsa W.624, fol. 115a, Detail, Layli visits Majnun in the wilderness4 charms against Rheumatism.4 charms against Rheumatism.IndiaPage from the Khamsa (Quintet) of Amir Khusrau, 1597-98 CE, The METPage from the Khamsa (Quintet) of Amir Khusrau, 1597-98 CE, The META Woman Charms Snakes in the Wilderness: Asavari Ragini, from a RagamalaA Woman Charms Snakes in the Wilderness: Asavari Ragini, from a RagamalaNorthwestern India, Rajasthan, Rajput Kingdom of Sirohi · early 1700sBodhisattva of Compassion as Lokeshvara the Sky Flyer (Khasarpana)Bodhisattva of Compassion as Lokeshvara the Sky Flyer (Khasarpana)Eastern India, Bihar, Pala dynasty, reign of Ramapala (reign 1078/79–at least 1130) · late 1000sStupa ReliquaryStupa ReliquarySri Lanka · About 14th/15th centuryText Page, Persian Verses (verso) Bahram Gur Visits the Princess of India: from a manuscript of the Khamsa of Nizami, Haft Paykar [Seven Portraits]Text Page, Persian Verses (verso) Bahram Gur Visits the Princess of India: from a manuscript of the Khamsa of Nizami, Haft Paykar [Seven Portraits]Iran, possibly Tabriz or Shiraz, Timurid Period, early 15th century · c. 1400–1410Ritual, terracotta, painted, Bhilsa C India, 1971Ritual, terracotta, painted, Bhilsa C India, 19711971ॐ Hindu amulet, Hillegersberg, Rotterdam (2022)ॐ Hindu amulet, Hillegersberg, Rotterdam (2022)Colophon portrait from the Khamsa of NizamiColophon portrait from the Khamsa of NizamiCopy of Khamsa, showing princess Shirin entertaining King Khushrow, V&A MuseumCopy of Khamsa, showing princess Shirin entertaining King Khushrow, V&A MuseumWooden Budai statuette inside of Wok Golden City, Veendam (2018)Wooden Budai statuette inside of Wok Golden City, Veendam (2018)"A King Offers to Make Amends to a Bereaved Mother", Folio from a Khamsa (Quintet) of Amir Khusrau Dihlavi"A King Offers to Make Amends to a Bereaved Mother", Folio from a Khamsa (Quintet) of Amir Khusrau DihlaviCharmsandCharmsandDerek Blackadder India 2005 (28090028)Derek Blackadder India 2005 (28090028)Guanyin statuette in Wok Golden City, Veendam (2018)Guanyin statuette in Wok Golden City, Veendam (2018)Iskandar lassoes a demon - Khamsa (c.1505), f.386 - BL IO Islamic 387 (cropped)Iskandar lassoes a demon - Khamsa (c.1505), f.386 - BL IO Islamic 387 (cropped)Coin collectors and enthusiasts by Yogabrata Chakraborty, 2022Coin collectors and enthusiasts by Yogabrata Chakraborty, 2022Shab-i qadr (“The Night of Power”) Folio from the Khamsa (“Quintet") of Amir Khusraw Dihlavi (d. 1325) India, ca. 1350–1450 (Aga Khan Museum, AKM 00013)Shab-i qadr (“The Night of Power”) Folio from the Khamsa (“Quintet") of Amir Khusraw Dihlavi (d. 1325) India, ca. 1350–1450 (Aga Khan Museum, AKM 00013)Folio from a Khamsa-cFolio from a Khamsa-cIskandar lassoes a demon - Khamsa (c.1505), f.386 - BL IO Islamic 387Iskandar lassoes a demon - Khamsa (c.1505), f.386 - BL IO Islamic 387

More from South Asia: Tiger-claw & tooth amulets · Amulet cases & kavacha · Navaratna (nine-gem) amulets · Yantras & mantra plates · Deity pendants & sacred seeds
Every type in the gallery

Anything in the gallery can be made: any piece, any tradition, in its own material or yours, by hand from the documented original. Numbered. Price on commission, quoted before anything is made. I reply within one business day.