Obj. ID: 41039
Sacred and Ritual Objects Amulet and hair Ornament, Tunis, 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.
These two pieces of jewelry were hung as if they were earrings, but were attached to a fabric band wound around the head of the bride. The element at the top, containing depictions of fish and a hamsa, has from it dangling chains made from the typical Tunisian form of beaten flat rings. At the end of the chain are Hamsot and crescents. All of these are to protect the bride from the evil spirits on her wedding day.
sub-set tree:
O | Ornamentation: | Foliate and floral ornaments | Floral motif
F | Fish | Two fish
S | Six pointed star
|