Gross Family Collection
The Center for Jewish Art
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.
This small shield shape amulet has only the letter "Heh" on the obverse, with no Hebrew. The reverse carries a Hebrew inscription for protection from "Ayin ha-Ra".