Two amulets to protect against scorpions and venomous reptiles. Tripoli, Libya / Tunisia, [early decades of 20th century].
Print on paper; pencil on paper, mounted on Bristol board.
1. Printed amulet, for protection against scorpions, snakes, and various other venomous creatures. [Probably Tripoli (according to NLI)]. The lengthy text invokes and conjures the earthly and heavenly authorities, and makes use of curses and incantations, citing biblical prophets and ancient Jewish sages, to ward off scorpions, venomous reptiles, and other mortally dangerous creatures. In the lower section of the sheet are three Greek-origin words (in Hebrew letters, arranged in descending triangular patterns); as they descend, the number of letters in each word diminishes until the word disappears: "epicurus," "ebilogama" [or "epilogamma"], and "apartita" [Aphrodite]. Interspersed between the triangles are two illustrations of scorpions. [1] f., 21.5 cm. Good condition.
2. Amulet, handwritten in pencil on ruled paper. [Probably Tunisia or Tripoli]. Titled in Hebrew "Segulah LilAkrab" ["charm (against) scorpion"]. Underneath this is the incantation. At the bottom are the descending listings of the Greek-origin words "epicurus," "apartita" [Aphrodite] and "ebilogama." As in the printed amulet above, the number of letters in each word diminishes until each disappears. And again, adjacent to these listings are two somewhat schematic illustrations of scorpions. [1] f., 20 cm. Poor condition. Numerous tears, some open. Stains.
Please refer also to item no. 37.