Paper Amulet for the Home – Protection against Scorpions and Snakes – Morocco

Paper Amulet for the Home – Protection against Scorpions and Snakes – Morocco
Amulet for the home, to protect against scorpions and venomous reptiles. Morocco, [early decades of 20th century].
Ink and paint on paper.
At the top of the amulet are four Greek-origin words (in Hebrew letters); as they descend (in triangular formations), the number of letters in each word diminishes until the word disappears: "epicurus," "ebilogama," "apartita" [Aphrodite], and "ebligima" [or "ablagama"] (the origins of this type of listing are very old, with roots in ancient Greek and Egyptian culture. A similar formula, offering protection against scorpions, appears on a Hebrew amulet that was discovered in the Cairo Geniza.) The middle portion of the amulet bears the protective text; it mentions the names of great sages and rabbis from throughout Jewish history, cites passages from the Book of Psalms (referring to some by initials only), and in general, delivers incantations to ward off scorpions, venomous reptiles, and other mortally dangerous creatures. Toward the bottom of the amulet is a stylized illustration of a pair of scorpions, depicted as mirror images of each other. Above these illustrations are three Hebrew words: "scorpion," "snake," and a code word for scorpion. Below them is the passage from Isaiah (11:9) in Hebrew, abbreviated using initials only: "They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea." Broad decorative border in a vegetal pattern, in hues of purple, red, and green.
Approx. 21X17 cm. Good condition. Fold lines and few stains. In a 33X29 cm frame (not examined outside of frame).
Please refer also to item no. 80 in chapter titled "Tunisia and Libya."