Obj. ID: 37590  Amulet, Ukraine, circa 1900

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.

In spite of the fact that there is no Heh letter present, this is probably a round "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. O the the obverse appear two rampant animals, a lion on the left side and a deer on the right, and between them a table on which sits an eagle. On the reverse in the center is an urn like vase with flowers. This is surrounded by a floral decoration on the circumfrence. The assumption that it may be an Jewish amulet derives from the use of the deer and lion as well as the general similarity to the others of the genre.