Button or Bead, 9th–10th century, Excavated in Iran, Nishapur, Bone; incised and inlaid with paint, H. 1/4 in. (0.7 cm) , Ivories and Bone, The dot-in-circle motif recalls designs presumed to be of magical significance, most likely an abstract eye to ward off the evil-eye, which serves an apotropaic function. Easily reproduced with a tool and visible in many cultures and times, this symbol may have lost its meaning, and become simply a decorative pattern, or may have one that we have not yet discovered
Keywords:
Button, Bead, 9th–10th century, Excavated, Iran, Nishapur, Bone, incised, inlaid, paint, H, 1/4, 0.7 cm, Ivories, dot, circle motif, recalls, designs, presumed, magical significance, abstract eye, ward off, evil-eye, serves, apotropaic function, Easily reproduced, tool, visible, cultures, times, symbol, lost, meaning, simply, decorative pattern, yet discovered
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