Amulets were worn by men, women and children throughout southern Europe in the 19th century. Before the development of modern medicine, fevers, cramps and toothache could be painful and dangerous. Childbirth could kill mother or child. Many people believed that the supernatural powers embodied in an amulet could promote fertility and good health and offer protection against malign forces or the ‘evil eye’. Although the Catholic Church was opposed to the pagan nature of many amulets, it was powerless to prevent their use.

Children were considered especially vulnerable to dangers of all kinds, and this amulet was made to protect a child. The mermaid at the bottom, called sirena, or siren, in Spanish, holding a comb in one hand and a mirror in the other, was notorious for bewitching and ship-wrecking sailors. Her presence on this amulet would avert any bewitchment aimed at the child, and the noise of the whistle and the numerous bells would similarly frighten off any evil spirits. It would have been fastened to the child’s clothing or hung on its cot.

Amulets like this have been worn by Spanish children since at least the 17th century. By the 19th century these amulets were also being worn by women. Similar amulets were used in southern Italy, in the region formerly ruled by Spain.