Obj. ID: 35803
Sacred and Ritual Objects Amulet, Turin, circa 1820
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.
Such amulets were a part of almost every Italian Jewish home. They were hung over the crib of newborn infants. Even to this day, in many families this custom is still followed. They are most often decorated with representations of some of the Temple implements. Most often these amulets contained a piece of parchment inscribed with the same inscription as the parchment in a Mezuzah. Such amulets are known at least from the early 18th century and continued to be made through the 19th century as well. This example is apparently from the first part of the 19th century and the stylized design indicates that it was made in Turin. This period in Turin saw the creation of many Jewish objects in silver, in some cases by Jewish silversmiths practicing in that city.
Inscription: Shadai
sub-set tree:
M | Menorah
G | Garland
H | High priest | Vestments | Mitre
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