The following description was prepared by William Gross:
In the 19th century, the art of illuminated codexes and Esther scrolls declined almost to the point of disappearance. There were a few exceptions, with a scribe named Mordechai ben Yosef Sofer from Nitra in Slovakia being perhaps one of the most skilled and prolific among them. From his recorded works we know that he worked in the 20's and 30's of the 19th century. Both manuscript and printed works are known from his hand, six copies of which are in the Gross Family Collection. Not only was he a skilled artist in making illustrated codexes, but clearly his skill as an engraver of copper etchings did not fall from the codex manuscripts he made. This copper plate etched amulet is the work of Mordechai Sofer. Until recently this amulet was known in one copy only, in the Feuchtwanger collection in the Israel Museum. This second original copy is now in the Gross Family Collection. This original printing of the amulet is mounted on cardboard with a loop, showing how such amulets were mounted and hung on the wall of the room for the mother and child.