Ca. 1100-1200 AD. A scroll holder amulet. This cylindrical piece is notable for its meticulous and intricate decoration, which bespeaks the highest levels of craftsmanship and attention to detail. The scroll holder's tapering ends lend it a pleasing symmetry, while one end can be opened to allow for the insertion of a prayer or blessing. Of particular note are the four protrusions that adorn the piece, each of which features a suspension hole for a chain to be worn around the neck. These suspension holes serve to transform the scroll holder into a wearable amulet, imbuing it with a powerful protective function that would have been prized by those who owned and wore it. Prayer scroll holders like this one were popular in a variety of cultures and religions, from Judaism to Islam to Christianity. The practice of carrying protective prayers or blessings in a portable amulet was a way of keeping one's faith close at hand, and of seeking divine protection and guidance throughout the day.Size: L:45mm / W:100mm ; 54.48gProvenance: Property of a London Islamic art specialist collector; previously in a collection formed since the 1980s.