Obj. ID: 35861
Sacred and Ritual Objects Amulet, Meknes, circa 1910
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 is a large silver amulet with a cast hamsa above and a cast eagle in the middle. Both the decorative motifs engraved on the silver and the silver marks on the back indicate the origin of the object in Meknes. The bird, a symbol of spring and renewal as well as strength indicates the purpose for the protection given by a birth amulet, augmenting the general protection of the hamsa motif itself. The hamsa inside the large hamsa gives general protection inside the person as well as outside. The agle adds strength to the effectiveness of the talisman and the spread wings guard the whole house and family.
The salamander was a symbol for renewal and therefore this silver hamsa was most probably intended for use as a birth amulet, In the Moroccan vernacular this animal is called a "zarmumiah".
sub-set tree:
E | Eagle
O | Ornamentation: | Ornament
O | Ornamentation: | Foliate and floral ornaments | Floral motif
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