Magic Wire Shelf Support: The Perfect Addition to Your Craft Room

The Magic Wire Shelf Support is a revolutionary product that brings convenience and versatility to organizing shelves. This support system is designed to provide stability and strength to wire shelves, preventing them from sagging or collapsing under heavy loads. The Magic Wire Shelf Support is made of high-quality materials that are durable and long-lasting. It can easily be installed on any wire shelving unit, making it suitable for a wide range of applications such as kitchen cabinets, pantry shelves, and garage storage systems. One of the key features of the Magic Wire Shelf Support is its adjustable design. This allows users to customize the height and angle of the shelves according to their needs.

But also, in the 1700s, Quaker women who preached in public would wear tall hats that looked a little bit like the witches hats. In the Puritan society of the North American colonies, women who dared to preach found themselves very unwelcome — and in fact, that was one of the many kinds of disruptive behaviour on the part of certain women that led to the Salem Witch Trials.

There are many different theories about why witch hats are shaped as they are, but they all have one thing in common they are all caricatures of outsiders. However, the only bit of standardization specified was the pointy top, so several types of Judenhat arose; for example, in Italy, there were according to scholar Flora Cassen at least five different forms of Judenhat that appeared contemporaneously.

This allows users to customize the height and angle of the shelves according to their needs. Whether you want to store tall bottles or small jars, this support system can adapt to accommodate different sizes of items. In addition to its adjustable nature, the Magic Wire Shelf Support also offers a secure grip on the wire shelves.

The Witch Hat

The witch’s hat: Black, large-rimmed, with a pointed top. It’s a necessary part of every witching wardrobe. Just ask Elphaba or McGonagall. But where did that hat come from? Theories about the hat’s origin vary. Some scholars cite the mummified remains of two sisters from the 3rd century BCE in Subeshi, China as the earliest evidence of the hats (the sisters were found with pointed hats on their heads). Others cite the Puritan perception of the Quakers in eighteenth century America: The Puritans saw the Quakers as suspicious magic practitioners, and while the Quakers didn’t wear pointy hats, they did wear black ones with wide brims. Still other scholars cite an antisemitic origin. As early as the Greek Empire, hats were symbols of Jewish oppression. During the days of the Maccabean revolt (167-160 BCE), when the Hannukah story was unfolding, king Antiochus IV Epiphanes forced young Jewish men to wear a broad-brimmed hat. By imposing the hat rule on the Jewish people, Antiochus denigrated them, visibly displaying their subjugation for all to see.

The use of the pointed hat to distinguish Jews from non-Jews can be traced back to the early medieval era. The first depiction of a Jew in a Judenhut (Jewish pointed hat) –– found in the Second Gospel Book of Bishop Bernward of Hildesheim (ca. 1015) –– would have been seen as an elegant garment choice, not as a stigmatizing symbol. The hat was reminiscent of the hats worn by the three magi, and in early eleventh century European culture, these hats symbolized a connection to European Jews’ Levantine heritage. This positive perception soured, though. In 1096, the First Crusade set out to open a path to Muslim-ruled Jerusalem, massacring Jewish communities in Speyer, Mayence, and Worms along the way. The Crusade turned an admiration of orientalism into a disdain for it, so the hat –– originally a celebrated sign of the Jewish diaspora –– became a key element of anti-Jewish slander. For example, on the mid-twelfth century bronze doors of a Verona Cathedral, mobs of hatted Jews are seen violently capturing Jesus. A similar scene is found on a coin minted in Germany around the same time.

Then, in 1215, the Holy Roman Empire’s Fourth Council of the Lateran required all Jews to wear a Judenhat to visually distinguish Jews from non-Jews. The hat became a label for Jews, akin to the badge Jews would later be required to wear in Nazi Germany. However, the only bit of standardization specified was the pointy top, so several types of Judenhat arose; for example, in Italy, there were –– according to scholar Flora Cassen –– at least five different forms of Judenhat that appeared contemporaneously. The hat grew beyond its Jewish affiliation. People engaging in “non-Christian activity” were forced to wear a pointed cap. For instance, in a 1421 Hungarian law, men convicted of sorcery were forced to wear “a pointed Jews’ hat.” The hat was donned upon fictional characters, too. For example, a 1545 fountain in Bern is topped with an ogre wearing a pointed hat while eating a baby, and in 1493, artist Hartmann Schedule sketched the magician Merlin (who was not Jewish) wearing a conical hat that looked nearly identical to Judenhat .

The hat was a visible link between Jews and magic. During the Middle Ages and Renaissance, Jews were thought to possess magical powers. For instance, reports circulated around Europe claiming that Jews concocted poisons out of Christian hearts, spiders, frogs, and human flesh. There was even a persistent claim that Jews used Christian blood for magical and cathartic purposes. From these myths arose a fear around Jews and their faith. Christians feared Jews would disappear from view and then cause them harm (e.g., collect blood, etc.), so one reason Jews were forced to wear Judenhat was to keep tabs on them. In turn, because Jews were often affiliated with dark magic, the Judenhat became a symbol of the supernatural. These connections often led Jews and witches to be subjected to similar court proceedings and forms of persecution during the Inquisition and beyond. Thus, the Judenhat became interwoven with cultural perceptions of magic.

However, some scholars call into question a direct connection between the Judenhat and the witch’s hat. Clothing historian Abby Cox notes how the black witch hat is of English origin, but in England, Jews were required to wear badges instead of hats (the hats were a required marker in continental Europe only). And, per Cox, the witch’s black hat didn’t become popular into the 1700s, more than 500 years after the antisemitic laws were passed. Thus, Cox argues, it’s unlikely the witch hat is a direct descendant of the Judenhat . But it’s hard for me not to give some attention to the antisemitic origin story, even if it’s not the hat’s likely origin. Antisemitism has always been present and problematic, but right now –– this week –– it’s flaring up. It’s in Kanye’s tweet. It’s in Trump’s social media post. It’s in Adidas’ delayed response to Kanye. It’s in the banners hanging above a freeway overpass in Los Angeles. Antisemitism isn’t new, nor is it a thing of the past. According to the ADL , antisemitic incidents were at an all-time high in 2021. Antisemitism is pervasive. It’s something we, as a society, must continue to call out and fight against. To be clear, I don’t think dressing up as a witch for Halloween is laden with antisemitic intentions, but when I see a witch trick-or-treating this year, I’ll be thinking about that hat and the history of persecution, prejudice, and antisemitism hidden under its pointy top. Share If you’re looking for ways to support the fight against antisemitism, you can donate to the Anti-Defamation League here .

Notes.

• This post is largely adapted from Naomi Lubrich’s article “The Wandering Hat: Iterations of the Medieval Jewish Pointed Cap,” published in Jewish History (December 2015).
• More on witches and Jews can be found in Yvonne Owens’ article “The Saturine History of Jews and Witches,” published in Preternature (vol 3, no 1, 2014). Also see Joshua Trachtenberg’s book The Devil and the Jews .
• The paragraph on Jews, potions, and blood is largely drawn from James Arieti’s article “Magical Thinking in Medieval Anti-Semitism: Usury and the Blood Libel” ( Mediterranean Studies , vol 24, no 2, 2016).
• For more on the origin of the witch’s hat, check out this InStylearticle , this Slatearticle , and this Mary Suearticle . Or even Abby Cox’s YouTube video on the subject.
• Hey Alma has a good piece on the current antisemitic events here .

$\begingroup$ Why wear the hat? Because it's expected of them, people respect the hat, or if they don't respect it they fear it, it's much like a policeman's uniform, just wearing it bestows power & authority over others, Granny Weatherwax called this effect headology, you or I would call it psychology, besides, if they didn't advertise how would you know who to go to for that love potion or to get your neighbour cursed? $\endgroup$

It features a locking mechanism that ensures the support stays in place and prevents any wobbling or shifting of the shelves. This prevents accidents and helps to maintain the integrity of the items stored on the shelves. Furthermore, the Magic Wire Shelf Support is very easy to install and requires no additional hardware. Simply clip it onto the wire shelving and adjust it to the desired position. This makes it a hassle-free solution for DIY enthusiasts and professional organizers alike. Overall, the Magic Wire Shelf Support is a game-changer in the world of shelf organization. With its adjustable design, secure grip, and easy installation, it provides a convenient and versatile solution for maximizing storage space and keeping shelves organized. Whether you are a homeowner, a business owner, or a professional organizer, this product is a must-have for any shelving system..

Reviews for "How Magic Wire Shelf Support Can Make Moving Easier"

1. Samantha - 1/5 stars - I was really disappointed with the Magic wire shelf support. First of all, it was incredibly difficult to install. I followed the instructions carefully, but it just didn't fit properly and kept slipping. Secondly, even when I did manage to get it installed, it didn't provide enough support for my shelves. They still felt shaky and unstable. Overall, I was very unsatisfied with this product and, unfortunately, I wouldn't recommend it to anyone else.

2. John - 2/5 stars - I purchased the Magic wire shelf support hoping it would solve my shelving problems, but unfortunately, it didn't meet my expectations. The main issue I had with it was the quality of the product. The wire felt flimsy and weak, and despite trying to adjust it multiple times, I couldn't get it to hold my shelves securely. Additionally, the installation process was unnecessarily complicated, and the instructions weren't very clear. Ultimately, I had to find an alternative shelving support that worked much better for me.

3. Emma - 3/5 stars - The Magic wire shelf support did an okay job in terms of keeping my shelves in place, but I had a few issues with it. Firstly, I found it quite challenging to install. The wire was difficult to bend and secure properly, and it took longer than expected. Secondly, while it did provide some support, it wasn't as sturdy as I had hoped for. I had to be very cautious with placing heavier items on the shelves, as I was worried they would collapse. Overall, this product may work for lighter items, but for heavier storage needs, I would look for a stronger alternative.

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