Talismanic cap

Title
Talismanic cap
Year/Period
c. 1600
Region
Turkey
Dimension
Object size: L:12.0 x Dia:16.5
Accession No.
1997-02096

This cap from Turkey features a popular talismanic motif – the six-pointed star known as the ‘seal of Solomon’. As related in the Qur’an, King Solomon had mastery over all creatures – humans, animals and jinn (spirits). The cap is probably written with Qur'anic verses and abjadi numbers, which are the numbers representing the different attributes of God or names of prophets or saints. During the Ottoman period, most men wore headgear, so this cap would have been concealed underneath it for protective purposes.