"Alef" - Amulet for Protection of a Newborn - Greece, 1902

"Alef" - Amulet for Protection of a Newborn - Greece, 1902
Amulet for protection of a newborn, in the Romaniote style of Greek Jewry, [Greece], Tishrei, 5663 [1902].
Ink on paper.
A leaf for blessing, protecting and safeguarding a newborn baby born to R' Yosef Elia Koliya. This unique amulet was written around the birth of a boy, for protection and safeguard, prior to giving him a name and prior to his circumcision.
On upper part - seven arches with initials and names of guarding angels, Sanoi, Sansanoi, and Semangelof. Under the arches are three circles surrounding Stars of David with initials of Psalms verses. Below the circles appear text lines with verses concerning faith, observing Mitzvot, protection and safeguard, and below them names of the patriarchs and matriarchs, and a "LaMenatze'ach" Menorah. On left and right sides of the Menorah base appear additional initials of Psalms verses with two circles with flowers. In the frame surrounding the leaf appear various verses and the blessing for the newborn baby.
50X35 cm. Fair-good condition. Creases, folding marks and stains. Ink smears. Tears, some damages to text. Placed in a passe-partout (pasted in its upper part).
Literature:
1. The Life Cycle (Hebrew), Prof. Shalom Sabar (Ministry of Education and Ben Zvi Institute, 2006), p. 58, 60.
2. Zanet Battinou, Circumcision Certificates from Greece, In: Rimonim, 5 (1997).
Provenance: Collection of Willy Lindwer.