ABOUT

The concept of the nazar was found in ancient scripture on cuneiform tablets from Sumer and Babylonia, that were created between 3300 and 3000 BC. A protective eye talisman was also used in ancient Egypt, known as the wadjet or the eye of Horus. The nazar is a circular shape of glass featuring concentric circles with the colors light blue, dark blue, white and black. The blue color probably comes from the influence of the Byzantines in which blue, the color of heaven and water, was sacred. A ring with a nazar emblem means a lot to Sarah Alam because it was gifted to her by her grandmother when she was in Israel years ago. It’s not like any other piece of jewelry that Sarah has because it reminds Sarah of her country and family.

The word Nazar is an Arabic word meaning sight. The Nazar is used to protect people from the evil eye and to prevent them from bad luck. It is often hung in homes, offices, cars, children’s clothing, or incorporated in jewelry and ornaments. Anyone can wear a nazar, but it’s known to be a woman’s wear. This talisman has been found in Cyprus, Greece, Brazil, Palestine/Israel, Ethiopia, Georgia, Armenia, Albania, Algeria, Lebanon, Turkey, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Nepal, Bulgaria,Syria, and more. Its widespread popularity and adoption into other cultures and religions is largely due to tourism.

—Label written by Nour Mohsen

ORIGIN
Israel/Palestine

APPROXIMATE DATE
c. 2000

MATERIALS
N/A

COLLECTION OF
Sarah Alam