AGLA Pendant

AGLA talismans are powerfully magical medieval objects. The word is believed to be the transliterated acronym of the Hebrew words Atah Gibor Le-olam Adonai (“Thou are mighty forever, Oh Lord”). It appears as early as the twelfth century in Christian contexts in magical inscriptions and throughout the Middle Ages on finger rings and pendants like these. The letters were re-interpreted in Germany as an acronym for Allmächtiger Gott, Lösche Aus (“Almighty God, extinguish the flames”) and used, apparently, as a talisman against fire. Some scholars believe it was invoked (in addition or as well) against fever.

The original of this pendant is dated 1300-1350 and was found in Dordrecht.