Obj. ID: 37426
Sacred and Ritual Objects  Amulet, Ukraine, circa 1800

The following description was prepared by William Gross:

This is an example of a type of inexpensive, easily cast lead amulet that has only recently come to light. The disovery came because of extensive use of metal detectors by amateur explorers in the FSU, primarily in the Ukraine, where such amulets have been uncovered in both quantity and variety. In the Gross Family Collection there are more than 60 different variations. It is clear that they were a very popular protective talisman, worn by numberous Jewish children.

This is a quite small shield shaped amulet. On the front is a "Heh" with two pillars on the sides. The rear carries Hebrew for the protection of mother and child from "Ayin ha-Ra" in a inscription surrounding what looks like an image of a stork in the center.