Belt buckle decorated with granulation. Syrian Kurdistan (probably made in Aleppo, Syria), [late 19th or early 20th century].
Silver, repoussé; silver thread and granulation; beads.
Consisting of two large parts shaped like droplets ("boteh" or paisleys), surface of both parts entirely decorated with granulation and diamond-shaped silver ornaments with red and light blue colored beads set in their centers. In middle, dome-shaped ornament covers clasp; also decorated with silver thread and granulation and topped with silver knob. Closes with hook.
11X25 cm. Missing beads.
References: The Arts and Crafts of Syria, p. 95; Arab and Islamic Silver, p. 130.

Two belt buckles, probably crafted by Jewish silversmith. Kurdistan, most likely Iraqi Kurdistan (northern Iraq), [early 20th century].
Silver, repoussé, stamped and engraved; silver thread and granulation.
1. Consisting of two large parts shaped like droplets, decorated with vegetal and geometric patterns, and with crescent patterns. At center, cylindrical ornament covering clasp, decorated with silver thread and granulation, and with dome-shaped ornament on top, set with light blue bead (turquoise?). Tiny, sun-shaped decorations on back. Closed with hook. 28.5X11.5 cm.
2. Consisting of two large parts shaped like droplets, decorated at their centers with geometric diamond shapes and in the margins with a wreath of leaves. In middle, cylindrical ornament covering clasp, decorated with silver thread and granulation, and with dome-shaped ornament on top, set with red-colored bead (coral?). Tiny, sun-shaped decorations on back. Closed with hook. 29.5X11 cm.
See also item no. 124.

Strap for administering lashes on the eve of the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). Central Asia (Afghanistan, Bukhara [Uzbekistan], or Kurdistan), [early 20th century].
Leather.
Strap made from two strips of leather, folded back and sewn together with a leather lace. Leather strand at end.
Length: 50 cm. Without wooden handle.
References: Feuchtwanger Collection, item no. 311. See also: The Israel Museum Collection, item nos. B68.0078, L-B74.0336.

Necklace of amulets to protect pregnant woman and her newborn child. Iranian Kurdistan or Iran, [late 19th or early 20th century].
Silver, cast and engraved; blue and red ceramic beads; seashell; bells.
Necklace for protection of pregnant woman and child. Includes large, round pendant with names of G-d; two doll-like pendants (image of baby constructed from colored beads and seashell); two triangular pendants; two cylindrical pendants (amulet cases); and bells.
Length: 40 cm.
References: Jews of Kurdistan: Lifestyle, Tradition, and Art, p. 182; Feuchtwanger Collection, item nos. 819, 823; Jewish Life in Art and Tradition, pp. 66, 71.

Three amulet cases with engraved Hebrew inscriptions for protection and defense. Iran, [late 19th or early 20th century].
Silver, cast and engraved / engraved sheet silver.
In general, an amulet case would be treated like a piece of jewelry – and be passed on as an inheritance from one generation to the next – whereas the parchment inside was inscribed with a particular individual in mind, that is, personalized and not transferable. In other words, the cases were preserved but their contents were constantly exchanged. Even when amulet cases were adorned with vegetal or geometric patterns, engraved inscriptions were the exception and not the rule. The present objects therefore represent uncommon instances of amulet cases whose inscriptions turn them into actual amulets in their own right.
1. Large cylindrical case. Engraved Hebrew inscriptions with acronym of "Ana Bekoach," representing a 42-letter name of G-d; initials of angels and a 22-letter name of G-d. Length: 9 cm. Width: 2.5 cm.
2. Six-sided case. Hebrew inscriptions – most likely initials – not easily decipherable, but ending with the owner's name, "...daughter of Rahel (?)." Length: 7 cm. Width: 1.5 cm. Warping.
3. Six-sided case. Engraved Hebrew inscriptions with acronym of "Ana Bekoach", representing a 42-letter name of G-d; initials of several verses. Length: 6.5 cm. Width: 1 cm.
Reference: Feuchtwanger Collection, p. 228, item nos. 804-12.