Not currently on display at the V&A

Pendant

1750-1850 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Amulets were widely used throughout Spain to protect their wearers from all kinds of physical and spiritual dangers. This pendant, called a sonajero because of the noise it makes, was intended for children, who were considered particularly vulnerable. It was either hung above the cradle, or attached to the clothing.

Similar amulets were used in southern Italy, in the areas which were previously under Spanish rule.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Silver
Brief description
Silver amulet (sonajero), shaped like a lion, on a decorative chain with bells, Spain, 1750-1850.
Physical description
Silver pendant in the shape of a lion on a long decorative chain. The lion has a small crown on his head, a tube coming out of his mouth, and bells hanging from three of his feet, two of which are raised. The chain consists of flat pierced oval elements joined to each other by plain oval links. At the top there is a flat open ring with an extension at one side to fasten it to a button. The chain has a flat pierced rosette in its centre, below which it splits into two parts, which are attached to the head and tail of the lion. There is a bell attached to the lower edge of the rosette.
Dimensions
  • Height: 32.5cm
  • Width: 6.8cm
  • Depth: 1.4cm
Subject depicted
Summary
Amulets were widely used throughout Spain to protect their wearers from all kinds of physical and spiritual dangers. This pendant, called a sonajero because of the noise it makes, was intended for children, who were considered particularly vulnerable. It was either hung above the cradle, or attached to the clothing.

Similar amulets were used in southern Italy, in the areas which were previously under Spanish rule.
Bibliographic reference
For similar, see: 'Catalogo de Amuletos del Museo de Pueblo Espanol', Ministerio de Cultura, Madrid, 1987, no. 9,545, p. 95. Hildburgh, W.L. 'Further notes on Spanish amulets', in Folk-Lore, March 1913, plate II, opp, p. 66
Collection
Accession number
543-1905

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Record createdJuly 31, 2006
Record URL
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