Obj. ID: 35794
Sacred and Ritual Objects Amulet, Iraqi Kurdistan, 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.
This amulet shape of an almost square form with clipped corners is among the most common for Kurdistani talismans. They were made for numerous contexts, including the protection of birthing mothers and their children, as is documented in a famous picture of a child from Sandor, in Iraqi Kurdistan, wearing such an amulet on a chain over her shoulder. This shape also is found in smaller sizes, and all the sorts are often found, not only with inscriptions, but with designs of magic squares of amuletic abbreviations, the Magen David and the hamsa. This amulet has several purposes, including protection of mother and child, protection of a growing child and general protection.
On this example are found the names of angels, a Magen David and many magic squares of letters.This amulet carries words gainst the loss of an embryo. The back of the square magic square includes several errors in the spelling of the words in the formula. Around that magic square are names against fear. The Magen David with the letters is a general symbol for success. With the formula "Nokaz", it could be passed from use to use, from generation to generation. To find an example with the original chain, documenting its use as jewelry, is not usual.
On the front in the magic square of God's name, the middle is mistake.
Inscription: Adonai El