magical disc;
amulet;
numerical square
- Museum number
- 1885,0508.107
- Description
-
Magical disc, amulet, pendant, silver. On the obverse, incised with a magical square of Jupiter (4x4) in Hebrew letters, three Hebrew inscriptions and the planetary symbol of Jupiter together with the number 136 (total sum of numerical values of the letters in the square). On the reverse: planetary symbol of Jupiter, the seal of Jupiter and the symbol on the 'intelligence' of Jupiter with a Latin inscription.
- Production date
- 16thC-18thC (?)
- Dimensions
-
Diameter: 4.30 centimetres
- $Inscriptions
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- Curator's comments
-
For information on symbols see: Agrippa von Nettesheim, 'De occulta philosophia', ed. 1533 and K. A. Novotny, 'The Construction of certain Seals ans Characters in the Work of Agrippa of Nettesheim', Journal of the Warburg and Courtauld Institutes, XII, 1949.
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Additional references:
E.A. Wallis Budge ([1930]/1978), 'Amulets and Superstitions', New York: Dover Publications Inc. (chapters VIII, XXI and XXII)
Joshua Trachtenberg ([1939]/2004), 'Jewish Magic and Superstition: A Study in Folk Religion', Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press (chapter 16)
T Schrire (1966), 'Hebrew Amulets: their decipherment and interpretation', London: Routledge and Kegan Paul (chapters 11 & 12)
- Location
- Not on display
- Acquisition date
- 1885
- Department
- Britain, Europe and Prehistory
- Registration number
- 1885,0508.107
