Obj. ID: 37581 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 an example of a round "Heh' type amulet created for a male child to be hung around his neck on a string or chain. In the center of the obverse is the single letter "Heh" topped by the words "u-me-Kol..." The reverse has an amuletic inscription ending "...me-eiyin ha-Ra".