Obj. ID: 51150
Sacred and Ritual Objects Amulet, Morocco, c1900
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 elaborate amulet against scorpions and snakes, apparently very much in the tradition of similar amulets from the Islamic culture of Morocco of both Jews and Moslems, as the danger was real for both of the peoples. The large circles and corner squares are filled with some sorts of pseudo scripts, the meaning of which is not clear. The use of red ink for some of the texts is also unusual in Morocco. The depiction of scorpions and a snake make the purpose clear, as well as the general protection symbol of the sword, or "tajdid".