Obj. ID: 36162 Amulet, Morocco, circa 1900
sub-set tree:
O | Ornamentation: | Ornament
O | Ornamentation: | Foliate and floral ornaments | Floral motif
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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.
According to the geometric decoration, this small amulet is from the rural areas, probably the Atlas Mountains. The surface decoration is very delicately done with lines and zigzags. The only non-linear element is a three-petaled stylized flower in the palm area, inside the design of a triangle. The pointed petals of the flower are to catch, deflect and disperse in multiple directions the power of the evil eye directed against the wearer. The fingers are indicated in a very abstracted manner. The zig-zags near the outer fingers can serve the same puropose as the lobes of the flower above.
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.