Obj. ID: 37588 Amulet, Ukraine, circa 1900
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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 disovery 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 numberous Jewish children.
Triangular shaped amulets in this family of small cast lead talismans from the Ukraine are quite rare. There is on other example in the Gross Family Collection, 027.025. 039. This is an example of a "Heh' type amulet created for a male child to be hung around his neck on a string or chain for protection of the newly born child. In the center of the obverse is the single, decorated letter "Heh" of the monogrammaton. Around this is a decorative band of geometric shapes. On the reverse appears and inscription that is not yet identified. Originally there was a hanging loop as a part of the casting, but it has been broken off.