Obj. ID: 50565 Amulet, Morocco, circa 1940
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.
This is a group of manuscript amulets framed in the traditional Morrocan style in a simple sheet metal frame with glass. These are three of four such amulets that were made to hang on the four walls of a house or of the room of a mother and child to five protection from all directions. Each is marked with one of the directions, with that for "Ma'arav" (West) missing. The text is basically identical and comprised of abbreviations from sentences from the Bible. The condition of these three is not good and they have been damaged by moisture that leaked behind the glass. The set is lacking the one that would be marked for the westerly direction.