Exquisite Silver Amulet Case – Ferrara, Italy, 18th Century

Exquisite Silver Amulet Case – Ferrara, Italy, 18th Century

Amulet case. Ferrara, Italy, second half of the 18th century.
Silver, cast, repoussé, punched and engraved.
Hallmarks: · Marked with the emblem of the city of Ferrara (double-headed eagle, the city’s emblem in the years 1762-1776); · Maker’s mark: "[F]R" – Francesco Rubini II, active 1744-1784.

Double-sided amulet case, decorated with rocailles and rococo-style vegetal patterns and motifs. At the top is a wedding canopy surmounted by a suspension ring (part of a clover-shaped ornament). Dangling from the bottom is a bunch of grapes, symbolizing fertility and prosperity. At the center of both faces is a cartouche bearing the Divine name "Shaddai". Two additional ornaments – also labeled "Shaddai" – appear on one face: a depiction of the Ark of the Covenant, bearing wings; and a conical ritual priestly head covering (or mitre). At the bottom of the case is an opening for insertion of the amulet; it is capped with a removable cover secured with a bolt with a flower-shaped nut.

Amulet cases of this type were intended for folded amulets, to be kept inside their inner cavity. At times, such amulets were written with a specific person or purpose in mind; such amulets would be exchanged when the amulet case changed hands. Over the years, the amulet cases themselves would begin serving as amulets.
For similar items similarly created by the silversmith Francesco Rubini II, see: Center for Jewish Art (CJA), item no. 5022; and Christie’s, January 1, 1970, item no. 397.

Height: 12.5 cm. Width: 9 cm. Thickness: 3 cm. Overall good condition. Missing two cast ornaments. Minor warping.