Amulet
1830-1850 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
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'.
The amulets were often made of organic materials thought to have protective powers, such as jet or horn, or were set with propitious symbols. Although the Catholic Church was opposed to the pagan nature of many amulets, it was powerless to prevent their use.
This amulet represents the tongue of St. John Nepomuk, who was a Bohemian priest of the 14th century, revered for his refusal to break the seal of the confessional. It was worn to protect against lies, a bad reputation, or malicious rumours. The saint was popular throughout the Alpine region, and beyond.
The amulets were often made of organic materials thought to have protective powers, such as jet or horn, or were set with propitious symbols. Although the Catholic Church was opposed to the pagan nature of many amulets, it was powerless to prevent their use.
This amulet represents the tongue of St. John Nepomuk, who was a Bohemian priest of the 14th century, revered for his refusal to break the seal of the confessional. It was worn to protect against lies, a bad reputation, or malicious rumours. The saint was popular throughout the Alpine region, and beyond.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Silver filigree with glass and wax |
| Brief description | Silver filigree frame containing a wax image of St John Nepomuk's tongue under glass, Schwäbisch Gmünd (South Germany), 1830-1850. |
| Physical description | Amulet of the tongue of St John Nepomuk made of wax, mounted under glass, set in a silver filigree frame. |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | Hildburgh Gift |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | 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'. The amulets were often made of organic materials thought to have protective powers, such as jet or horn, or were set with propitious symbols. Although the Catholic Church was opposed to the pagan nature of many amulets, it was powerless to prevent their use. This amulet represents the tongue of St. John Nepomuk, who was a Bohemian priest of the 14th century, revered for his refusal to break the seal of the confessional. It was worn to protect against lies, a bad reputation, or malicious rumours. The saint was popular throughout the Alpine region, and beyond. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.36-1917 |
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| Record created | October 5, 2007 |
| Record URL |
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