Faculty of Design

Material Art & Design

Simone Aslan

Weeping for Babylon II (תיפארת לעיראק)

A amuletic necklace featuring Iraqi protective symbols, containing a Kabalistic scroll from late 19th century Baghdad, Iraq.

“The 14 hands upon the chain are exact replicas of my own hands- scanned from plaster moulds and altered to allow for bezel setting. They sit open, as though imploring. The Cz's range from clear to a deep blue- connecting ourselves to the water and flow of things. The chain, made up of 36 links, is constructed in a style popular with jews of the Iraqi Kurdistan region. 13 turquoise beads grace the front of the box- both in allusion to the Torah shields, but in reference to the duality of Chesed and Gevurah, and their union in Tiphareth (kabbalistic principles). The wolf's teeth are set in a double bezel emblazoned with the name אֶהְיֶה אֲשֶׁר אֶהְיֶה, a name for g-d which is most commonly translated to "I am that I am/ I will be what I will be". The canine pendant was a common amulet amongst Iraqi Jewish women who were experiences difficulties with miscarriage or loss of children in early infancy.”