Amulet
1793 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
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.
Amulets gain their power to protect from harm, or to attract good fortune, from their colour, pattern or material. Noise was believed to frighten away evil spirits, so bells were often included in amulets for children. This bell was fastened to the clothing or cot of a young child.
Amulets gain their power to protect from harm, or to attract good fortune, from their colour, pattern or material. Noise was believed to frighten away evil spirits, so bells were often included in amulets for children. This bell was fastened to the clothing or cot of a young child.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Materials and techniques | Engraved silver and chain |
Brief description | Silver amulet shaped like a bell (campanilla), Cordoba (Spain), 1793. |
Physical description | Pendant silver bell, decorated with engraved stylised flowers, hanging from a short length of loop-in-loop chain |
Dimensions |
|
Marks and inscriptions |
|
Credit line | Hildburgh Gift |
Production | Used to protect children from evil spirits |
Summary | 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. Amulets gain their power to protect from harm, or to attract good fortune, from their colour, pattern or material. Noise was believed to frighten away evil spirits, so bells were often included in amulets for children. This bell was fastened to the clothing or cot of a young child. |
Bibliographic reference | 'Catalogo de Amuletos del Museo de Pueblo Espanol', Ministerio de Cultura, Madrid, 1987, no. 9,894, p. 99; no. 10,110 p. 101 |
Collection | |
Accession number | M.31-1917 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
Record created | January 11, 2008 |
Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest