Jewish amulet, silver. Northern Italy, possibly 17th century.

Amulet of repousse silver in the form of a pendant, with a parcel-gilt suspension ring in the shape of a ribbonwork bow. The front and back are formed of scrollwork and foliage, each with a parcel-gilt heart, inscribed 'Shaddai, Almighty' at the centre. On the front the heart is flanked by parcel-gilt representations of a ner tamid (sanctuary lamp) on the left and the Tablets of the Law (inscribed with the Ten Commandments in Hebrew) on the right. On the verso these are replaced by a High Priest's turban (mitznefet in Hebrew) on the left and the seven-branched candlestick (the menorah) on the right. Below the heart is a heraldic device with an eagle crest, while at the very bottom of the amulet hangs a parcel gilt bunch of grapes.

Given by Colonel F R Waldo-Sibthorpe. Formed part of the Sassoon collection in 1887.

Early modern Jewish amulets of this type are usually called a Shaddai, after the Hebrew inscription 'Shaddai', 'Almighty', one fo the names of God, which is engraved upon them. This style of heart-shaped silver amulet is found in Northern Italy, especially in the Veneto area.

The iconographic scheme of the menorah, the High Priest's turban (ner tamid) the Tablets of the Law, and the bunch of grapes, surrounding the Holy Word, are common to 17th century heart shaped Shaddai amulets from Northern Italy. Almost all Shaddai amulets come with suspension rings and would be hung either from the neck or in the house, to protect the wearer or household and deflect evil. A holy word is believed to have great protective power and is an essential aspect of Jewish talismanic objects.


Michael Keen notes in his book the following:
The Metalwork department register notes that this object was exhibited at the 1887 exhibition at the Royal Albert Hall when it formed part of the Sassoon collection of Hebrew Ecclesiastical art; this collection was largly assembled by Philip Salomons, and was exhibited by Reuben D Sassoon. In the same catalogue a similar amulet belonging to the Strauss collection.

1925-1898