Amulets to Protect the Home – North Africa

Amulets to Protect the Home – North Africa
Collection of amulets to protect the house and its inhabitants. North Africa, Morocco and probably Algeria, [early 20th century].
Ink on parchment; tin and glass frames.
1. Small amulet. [Algeria?]. With Hebrew inscriptions: "Jerusalem," "Tzamarkad" (an acronym composed of the last Hebrew letters of the last words of each of the first five verses of Genesis), "argaman" ("purple"; the Hebrew word is an acronym consisting of the first letters in the names of the five archangels: Auriel, Raphael, Gabriel, Michael, Nuriel), and "Tzva'ot" ("Hosts"). At the center of the amulet is a Star of David, with the word "Shaddai" inscribed in the middle. 4.5X3.5 cm. Good condition.
2. Amulet offering "protection [of the house and] all members of the household." At the center is a Star of David, surrounded by names of G-d. 8X7 cm. Fair condition. Wear and blemishes.
3-6. Two pairs of amulets in poor condition. One pair bears the Hebrew inscriptions "אלזמר" and "גדפמיאל;" on the other pair, names of angels – "Padael," "Dahariel," and "Zechutiel" – appear alongside names of G-d. 7X5 cm; 8X7.5 cm. Poor condition. Very dark stains, ink erasures, tears, and fractures to frames.