Obj. ID: 53892
Sacred and Ritual Objects  Mazal Tov, Nitra (Nyitra), 1831/2

The following description was prepared by William Gross:

A copper-etched amulet is the work of the Jewish scribe/artist, Mordechai Sofer, from Nitra in southwest Slovakia. From his hand are recorded several examples of both manuscripts and printed works. Until recently this amulet was known in one copy only, in the Feuchtwanger collection in the Israel Museum. In the early 90's I found the original copper plate for this etching, preserved in the collections of the National Museum in Cracow. This example is a print from 1994, produced from the original plate that was etched almost 160 years earlier. This amulet is a birth amulet, with all the formulas and names used for the protection of mother and child, including specific references to Lilith. The names of patriarchal couples are inscribed as well as are the names of the three angels protecting the new mother and child: Sanoi, Sansanoi and Samgalaf, whose mention prevents Lilith from harming.