[HEBREW MANUSCRIPT]. A Kabbalistic Scroll on vellum, 'ha-Ilan ha-Kadosh' (The Holy [cosmic] Tree), cased inside an empty brass artillery shell [Eastern Europe, 19th century]

[HEBREW MANUSCRIPT]. A Kabbalistic Scroll on vellum, 'ha-Ilan ha-Kadosh' (The Holy [cosmic] Tree), cased inside an empty brass artillery shell [Eastern Europe, 19th century]

A performative, ritually-used artefact and tool of Kabbalistic practice: as stated at the end of the text, this scroll was produced specifically to serve as an amulet to protect against harm and all evil, with its owner advised to carry it with him in a silver case or wear it around his neck.

1480 x 80mm, vertical scroll made of 2 integral membranes, now detached, sepia ink on vellum, blind-ruled, square and semi-cursive Ashkenazic Hebrew script, containing numerous Kabbalistic cosmographical diagrams of various sizes and structures concerning the structure of the spiritual universe, including the ten sefirot and other symbols associated with the pseudo-body aspects of Divinity, the emanations and the three aspects of being: Divinity, Humanity and the Universe (some yellowing and cockling to the vellum, occasional frayed edges, the scroll spearated into two membranes). Remnants of a silver case, the brass shell casing with elaborate floral decorations and markings: '37-85 P.D.Ps 92 2.16', identifying it as a 37mm calibre, Model 1885 Hotchkiss round made at the Parc d'Artillerie de Paris in February 1916.

Ilanot had a variety of functions, from meditative to mnemonic, but by the 19th century, ilanot were being produced specifically to serve as amulets: these apotropaic scrolls are classifiable as artefacts of Practical Kabbalah.