Obj. ID: 35835 Amulet, Iran, 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.
There are more surviving silver amulets from Iran than from any other area. This is a round amulet with a deckled edge, this example is engraved using the squiggle technique to inscribe the letters and patterns. The magic square is unlike any other among the Iranian amulets in the Gross Family Collection and includes angel writing as well. It meaning is not clear. Inscription: Goahel? bat Sarah; (42 letter name).....