Obj. ID: 37457 Amulet, Morocco, circa 1930
sub-set tree:
O | Ornamentation: | Ornament
F | Flower
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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.
This is a "Luha"-type amulet in brass. Almost all such amulets are found in silver, but the types of amuletic motifs in the decoration are similar. In this example the convex protrusion above and the lozenge style one in the middle represent the eye, which is itself an antidote to the evil eye. The four crescent shaped decoration leading out of the amulet serve to catch, deflect and disperse in multiple directions the power of the evil eye directed against the wearer. On the rear of the amulet is stamped in French "coivr".