Obj. ID: 37087
Sacred and Ritual Objects  Amulet, Iraq, circa 1925

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 is a special Iraqi amulet, generally attached to a new child's garment to provide amuletic protection. It is called an "Afsa". Authentic amulets from Iraq, as is this one, are quite rare. Attached and hanging from it is a gold hamsa, in the middle of which is a set blue stone representing the eye, which is itself an antidote against the evil eye. Such blue stones are also set into the two ends of the gold strap encased wood. The shaped wooden core is wrapped in a thin gold strip woven into a container. This example is slightly smaller than the norm.

The hamsa (five, as in five fingers) is an amulet shaped like a hand. The hamsa is arguably the most popular form of amulet against the Evil Eye and is used in a large number of countries. Probably originating in Moslem Spain of the 12th or 13th century, it crossed the sea to Morocco and spread across North Africa to the Middle and Far East.