The following description was prepared by William Gross:
From earliest times, man has tried to protect himself from misfortune by the use of objects which he considered holy or otherwise (e.g., magically) potent. Amulets and talismans are items generally worn around the neck or wrist, carried in a pocket or purse or hung on a wall. They are meant to protect or aid those who carried or wore them. The Hebrew word for amulet, kame‘a, has the root meaning "to bind". Jewish amulets are usually comprised of texts (either letters or graphic symbols) that are inscribed on some sort of material; some may also contain plant matter or precious stones. The texts of amulets usually include holy names that are believed to have the ability to affect reality, along with incantations summoning angels or other magical powers. For the most part, an amulet has a specific purpose: to ease childbirth, facilitate recovery from illness, improve one’s livelihood, and so on, but in the modern world many are also made for general protection.
An elaborate house amulet, this was written by or for Simchah Athias. This amulet contains micrography and is among the more beautifully designed and manuscript amulets from Morocco. The family name Athias was primarily one of Fez families. There is a line of text that is erased, perhaps giving the name of the family for whom this was made and the date. The use of micrography as in the three representations of the Magen David is not common in Morocco. The text specifically identifies this as a house amulet.