Obj. ID: 36673 Amulet, Iraqi Kurdistan, circa 1920
sub-set tree:
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.
From the relatively large number of surviving examples, some eight of which exist in the Gross Family Collection, it would seem that the area of Iraqi Kurdistan produced the most amuletic necklaces that we know, featuring various amuletic devices to protect the wearer.This is such an amulet necklace containing a number of different talismanic elements, including the traditional Iraqi-Kurdish knife amulet, similar to those of amulets 027.001.071, 072, 239, 279 and 496. The central hanging piece is teardrop-shaped and carries amuletic texts, including the names of Sanoi, Sansanoi and Smangalaf. The shape of this element is similar to that of a number of amulets in the Gross Family Collection from the same area. Moving up from that element are two "finjans" with blue ceramic, then two elements like those is another Kurdish necklace, 027.001.*** , and then on the right side is the knife amulet. Above this are two tubular amulet holders, both of which may contain written paper or parchment. This is an interesting and unusual combination that makes an amulet necklace for the protection of a pregnant woman and child.
Inscription: Adonai be-Shem Abartiel........