Images(2)

Porte Qur’an Necklace (xersi?)

Artist North Somali artist

Date19th century or earlier

MediumAmber and silver

DimensionsDiam. 11 13/16 in. (30.0 cm)

ClassificationsJewelry

Credit LineGift of John and Katheryne Loughran

Object numberG.76.21.1

On View

On view

Label TextAfrica’s population of Muslims accounts for approximately one quarter of the world’s devotees. Ancient trade routes across North and West Africa first developed to expedite the circulation of precious trade materials—like salt, gold, and silver—and followed the same lines of movement that Islam did. Circulation was expedited by using the more mobile form of bracelets and necklaces.

Jewelry has functioned for centuries and into today as a protective, devotional aid and a mobile accumulation of wealth across North, East, and West African societies, especially for women. In addition to its precious materials, this necklace likely includes Qur’anic verses, creating not only social and economic but spiritual capital as well.
[A. Maples, "The People's Collection, Reimagined," 2022]Exhibition HistoryRaleigh, NC, North Carolina Museum of Art, "The People's Collection, Reimagined," October 7, 2022–present. Object Rights Statement

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