This item has been added to the Database within the Explore Islamic Art Collections project. Information is available in: English, Arabic.

Name of Object:

Hirz (Necklace) with Qur’an case

Location:

Muscat, Oman

Holding Museum:

National Museum Oman

About National Museum Oman, Muscat

Date of Object:

14th century AH / 20th century

Museum Inventory Number:

2013,3307

Material(s) / Technique(s):

Silver; engraved

Dimensions:

Length: 45cm, Weight: 275.6g

Period / Dynasty:

Al-Busaid

Provenance:

Northern Oman

Description:

This beautiful hirz (necklace) is a rare example of artistry from the 14th century AH/20th century AD which includes identification of the artisan. The inscription reads, "Made by Said bin Hamad bin Humaid al-Hajrion 26 Rabi" al-Awwal 1386 AH.

It is a central belief of Ibadhi Muslims that work is done for the glory of God, not for the glory of self. This custom of humility before God persists today, with work signed for reasons of practicality rather than self-aggrandisement. Signatures are typically modest in terms of scale, placement and style of execution. It is not unusual for artisans to sign their work with the name of the town or souq (local market) where their workshop is located in lieu of a personal signature.

How Object was obtained:

Directorate of Heritage and Culture in Dhofar

Citation of this web page:

 "Hirz (Necklace) with Qur’an case" in Explore Islamic Art Collections. Museum With No Frontiers, 2024. https://islamicart.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=object;EPM;on;Mus21;18;en

Copyedited by: Valerie Pulsifer

MWNF Working Number: OM1 18