Obj. ID: 37423
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 amulet is a smaller version of 027.025.010 and is also a shield shaped cast lead "heh" amulet There are a few amulets of this general shape in the Gross Family collection in varied states of sharpness and readability. Some of them, as this one, have on the front a "Heh" surmounted by a crown with two rampant lions on the sides. Underneath the "Heh" are three Hebrew words" "Shin" "Kuf" "'Shin". On the reverser is the Hebrew "Yehi Ratzon......"