Obj. ID: 36681
Sacred and Ritual Objects Amulet, Azerbaijan, 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.
A very unusual amulet created with the niello technique, including the inscription. The technique and the decorative forms indicate the origin in the Caucuses. The form of a fish for amuletic purposes is highly unusual for this area although quite common in North Africa. Hanging from the body of the fish are five coins that have had the minting protrusions on one side polished off. On this polished side of the coins are five Hebrew letters in niello forming the "name" Argaman. Amulets from this area are quite rare.