Silver Amulet and Headdress Ornament

A beautiful hand-crafted openwork round silver amulet and headdress ornament, decorated with geometrical patterns and the Seal of Solomon (the Star of David), wavy edges. In its center, a crescent moon and star. Marked with several marks. The amulet also served as a head ornament and was sewn onto wool scarves worn on women's heads, both Jews and Muslims. The mark of a crescent moon and star above a shield surrounded by a wreath is related to the marks of Tripoli, Libya. Tripoli, with a wealth of craftsmen, was historically a center of trade not only for different areas of Libya, but also between Mediterranean countries and central Africa.

In the Mediterranean world, decorative motifs and shapes carry inherent symbolic meanings, in some cases, seeking protection against jealousy, evil and misfortune. Motifs, such as hands, birds, fish and stars and moon (as in the item above) were thought to serve as protections against evil spirits and jealousy. Spirals, zigzag lines, triangular shapes, and eye shapes are also common, all looking to provide protection as well.

 

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