Obj. ID: 37548
Sacred and Ritual Objects  Amulet, Ukraine, circa 1800

The following description was prepared by William Gross:

This is an example of a type of inexpensive, easily cast lead amulet that has only recently come to light. The disovery came because of extensive use of metal detectors by amateur explorers in the FSU, primarily in the Ukraine, where such amulets have been uncovered in both quantity and variety. In the Gross Family Collection there are more than 60 different variations. It is clear that they were a very popular protective talisman, worn by numberous Jewish children.

A shield shaped cast lead "heh" amulet, not normally found. There are a few amulets of this general shape in the Gross Family collection in varied states of sharpness and readability. This is the largest example of the shield shape in the Gross Family Collection Some of them, as this one, have on the front only a "Heh" with some decoration, in this case a flower pot at the bottom with a plant arising from it. crown with two rampant lions on the sides. On the rear is an unreadable Hebrew inscription.

Inscription: "Heh"