Birth Amulet (Ukraine)
This impressive cut-paper birth amulet is in the form of the double eagle, the symbol of the Habsburg Monarchy (and pre-partition Poland) and thus a popular motif in Galician Jewish folk art. It is highly unusual to find such a small, ornate paper-cut birth amulet. On the birds’ wings are the names (clockwise from right) Adam, Eve, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebecca, Jacob, and Leah. Most of the common texts for a birth amulet are present, including the Shir le-ma‘alot psalm.
Credits
Collection of William Gross.
Published in: The Posen Library of Jewish Culture and Civilization, vol. 7.
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