Obj. ID: 36921  Amulet, Iran, circa 1920

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. Many different distinctive groups of talismans exist from Iran. This is an example of the group known as Shiviti amulets, as the central theme is the menorah containing the words of the 67th Psalm, a symbol that is the hallmark of the Shiviti. In this tradition the reading of this Psalm in the form of a menorah ehnaced the meaning and strenth of the words and therefore the power of the maulet. Around the rim is another inscription of the initials forming the 42 letter name of God, the letters being the first letter of each of the 42 words in the prayer "Ana ba-Koach". This is a particular and interesting type of Iranian amulet and this one is distinguished by very fine workmanship in the engraving, the letters and designes being filled with niello. The design would indicate that it was most likely engraved by the same silversmith as Gross Family Collection 027.001.205. Sometimes there are additional inscriptions and/or inscribed figures on the back of the amulet, which was meant to be worn on a necklace.

Iranian amulets in the shiviti form are not unusual, but to find that pattern done in gold with a set stone is very rare.