Obj. ID: 35843
Sacred and Ritual Objects  Amulet, Iran, circa 1900

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.

This type of amulet was made in pairs, with loops attached to the rear. Cords were then attached to the loops to enable the woman to tie them to her upper arms. The slightly concave shape was usually with cut corners. The outer edges of the two amulets were decorated in a filigree/granulation technique. The inscriptions were generally those of multi-letter "names" from the Kabbalistic library of inscriptions. This example, unusually, is made in 3 pieces rather than the usual one. The cord straps for tying the amulets to the arms are still attached. The same magical formula, the 42-letter name of God, derived from the first letters of the 42 words of the hymn "Ana Ba-koach", is engraved on the central rectangle of each of the hinged amulets. The inclusion of the names of the three angels Sanoi, Sansanoi and Smangalaf on two of the triangular elements indicates that this pair of arm amulets was in use as a birth talisman.

Inscription: Tziporah bat Marga