Obj. ID: 38597 Amulet, Iran, circa 1930
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. Many different distinctive groups of talismans exist from Iran. This is an example of the group known as Shviti amulets, as the central theme is the Menorah, a symbol that is the hallmark of the Shviti. But the 67th psalm, which is usually a part of such objects, is missing. The menorah form is filled with a Judeo-Persian inscription. Only the Shiviti phrase and two names of God at the bottom are in Hebrew. It is made to be hung on a chain as a necklace. Inscription: Amuletic "names" and formulas