Amulet for the Protection of Women and Newborn Children

Artist Unknown

18th century

Single page in ink on vellum featuring image of throne in center with bird of prey above, surrounded by Hebrew writing. — Amulets were crafted to protect pregnant women and newborn children from the powers of the evil Lilith, Adam’s mythical first wife. Mystical texts surround this image, written in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Judeo-Spanish.

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Credits

Museum purchase, Bernard Kimmel Collection, Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and Life, Bancroft Library, UC Berkeley.

Published in: The Posen Library of Jewish Culture and Civilization, vol. 6.

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