Obj. ID: 36260
Sacred and Ritual Objects Amulet, Iraqi Kurdistan, circa 1920
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.
From the relatively large number of surviving examples, some ten of which exist in the Gross Family Collection, it would seem that the area of Iraqi Kurdistan produced the most amuletic necklaces that we know, featuring various amuletic devices to protect the wearer. This necklace includes a knife amulet against the influence of Lilith. Inscribed on the square center amulet are the names of the 3 angels Sanoi, Sansanoi and Samangalaf, who protect against Lilith, indicating the use as a birth amulet for mother and child. The hamsa provides additional protection and is inscribed with various "names". This amulet set was made for a male child, Nacum ben Parchah, to protect him from illness and the Evil Eye. The knife amulet was called "Saifa", the Arabic word for sword. This amulet
Inscription: Nachum ben Parchah; Adonai Shadai.......