Ethnic Design Collection Reto Zehnder

Typical medium size Yemen silver amulet also called q'tub or what we would call a prayer cylinder. Smooth surfaced cylinder with dainty "dangles" hang from 4 loops on the bottom edge of the cylinder. The cylinder is completly closed.

This large and heavy Yemeni Hirz prayer cylinder, called also Q'tubis is a cylinder shaped pendant amulet, collected from Yemen in the 1970ties. The pendant is in excellent condition. The Koranic text was removed as they are specific to the owner of the box. A small silver plate added bears the signature of the silversmith.

This small Yemeni Hirz prayer cylinder is also called Q'tubis. The Koranic text was removed as they are specific to the owner of the box. 

An old Yemenite silver amulet called "hirz" used to keep some Koranic verses inside. This sort of pendant is widespread in Oman, Yemen and the Arabic peninsula. Although it does not open, the amulets was deliberately crafted to be hollow, intended for storing and amplifying the precious prayers, wishes, and secrets of the wearer.