Obj. ID: 37420
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.
A square cast lead "heh" amulet, not normally found. Number 027.025.009 is another variant of the same sort of talisman. Both of them are lacking the hanging loop that was cast at the top of the amulet. The Hebrew letters on the verso are not decipherable. Inscription: "Heh"