Obj. ID: 36774 Amulet, Eretz Israel, circa 1930
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.
This amulet is one of the more interesting and complex to come from this area. On the obverse are two tablets framed by a stag and a lion. Within the tablets, on top of which is a Magen David, the first pair of words are the Hebrew names for these two animals. Below that pair are two more animals which complete those that are mentioned in the classic sentance of the four animals. The last pair are kabbalistic "names". Below is a fish in water that may couple this amulet with fertility. on the reverse side the top half is filled with a list of letters that seem to be the first letters of words, but so far unidentified. Below are two images of the Magen David, itself a Kabbalistic symbol and below that a diagram straight from the book of Raziel Malach representing an amulet for success. This seems to be a very powerful combination of elements for an amulet that truly protects, perhaps a pregnant woman or one who wishes to be so.
Inscription: Amuletic "names" and formulas