Obj. ID: 37542 Amulet, Iran, circa 1900
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 a copy of an amulet tube holder found on necklaces, but it is a solid piece of iron. In Iran, the material iron itself has an amuletic quality. Such iron amulets are almost exclusively found in Iran. This iron amulet has the shape of a rounded lozenge. The inscription is written in two directions. Such amulets were used for attachment to a cap or kerchief and were intended to prevent headaches. They were known as "asqta darisa".
Inscription: Amuletic "names" and formulas