Obj. ID: 37560 Amulet, Ukraine, circa 1900
sub-set tree:
The following description was prepared by William Gross:
This is an example of a type of inexpensive, easily cast lead amulet that has only recently come to light. The discovery came because of extensive use of metal detectors by amateur explorers in the FSU, primarily in the Ukraine, where such amulets have been uncovered in both quantity and variety. In the Gross Family Collection there are more than 60 different variations. It is clear that they were a very popular protective talisman, worn by numerous Jewish children.
This is a fragment of a shield type lead amulet. This surviving bottom half of the example shows the "heh" in the middle with two rampant lions on the sides. Below are scrolling decorations. On the reverse is a Hebrew inscription.
Inscription: Heh