
The fish - a repeated motif on this necklace - is an ancient symbol of fertility and a means of warding off the evil eye. It figures in various Eastern cultures, as do the crescent and the star, which are considered cosmic symbols and also feature on protective amulets.
From the Israel Museum publications:
Ben Ami, Alia, ed., In All Their Finery: Jewels from the Jewish World, The Israel Museum, Jerusalem, 2002
Exhibitions:
In All Their Finery: Jewels from the Jewish World, Israel Museum, Jerusalem, 01/01/2000 - 30/09/2002
Digital presentation of this object was made possible by:
The Ridgefield Foundation, New York, in memory of Henry J. and Erna D. Leir