1. Amulet pendant. Stamped and soldered silver; gilt. [Iran, 19th century].
Round amulet with two suspension rings. Stamped with identical inscriptions and designs on both faces. The inscriptions bear the initials of the (Hebrew) lyrics to the “piyut” (liturgical poem) “Ana Bi-Koach”, followed by the initials to the liturgical (Hebrew) words of blessing and praise for the Almighty, “Barukh Shem K’vod Malkhuto Li-Olam Va-Ed”, arranged in two concentric circles. At center is a decoration apparently meant to look like a flower. The border consists of an inner circle of dots and an outer circle with a hatched pattern.
Diameter: 3.5 cm.
Provenance: The Ignat Mahler Collection (“Valuable Judaica: From the Collection of the Late Ignat Mahler”, Parke-Bernet Galleries, 1970, Lot No. 24).
2. Amulet or pseudo-amulet. Engraved silver. [Iran, ca. 1948].
Rectangular amulet with cut corners, engraved on both sides. On one side, in Hebrew, are the names of angels along with inscriptions (some faded) believed to impart protection against evil: “By virtue of these names … may You have mercy upon … and grant him plenitude … and grace and benevolence and may you rescue (misspelled) him from all manner of trouble and distress…” The other side features something of a “magic square” bearing a text or formula apparently borrowed from a “ketubah” document: “On the fifth day of the week – the eighteenth of the month of Iyar, the year 5708 [May 27, 1948] since the Creation of the World…”
8.5X9.5 cm.
Purchased in Tehran, Iran, 1971.
PLEASE NOTE: Item descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to Hebrew text.
