The artistic aspects of Jewish amulets from the lands of Islam, as is also true for their Muslim counterparts, can be discussed under two heads: amulets as articles of jewelry; and decorative and other designs appearing on amulets. The first category is closely associated with the origins of jewelry making, because in early times a primary function of personal bodily adornments was to protect the wearer. The Jews in the lands of Islam were not different in this respect from their neighbors, and much of the jewelry they produced or used was intended for symp…