Amulet
1700-1799 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Stones with distinctive colours or patterns have been used as amulets since the dawn of time. Their colour or pattern often determined their perceived benefit. In the south German region, patterned stones, such as fossilised corals as in this example, were considered a powerful protection against witches and the evil eye. The Alpine region was a good source of these distinctive stones, and the inhabitants made amulets on an industrial scale for distribution throughout southern Germany in the 18th century.
This amulet was bought for five shillings and one penny at the International Exhibition, London, 1872.
This amulet was bought for five shillings and one penny at the International Exhibition, London, 1872.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Cream-coloured stone with worm-like pattern set in a silver mount |
| Brief description | Heart-shaped stone amulet in a silver mount, Bavaria (Germany), 1700-1799. |
| Physical description | Heart-shaped amulet made from a piece of cream-coloured stone, with a distinctive worm-like pattern, set in a silver mount. The mount is open on both sides, with serrated teeth with fine engraved lines holding the stone on both sides. There is a loop for suspension at the top of the mount, with a loose silver ring threaded through it. |
| Dimensions |
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| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | Stones with distinctive colours or patterns have been used as amulets since the dawn of time. Their colour or pattern often determined their perceived benefit. In the south German region, patterned stones, such as fossilised corals as in this example, were considered a powerful protection against witches and the evil eye. The Alpine region was a good source of these distinctive stones, and the inhabitants made amulets on an industrial scale for distribution throughout southern Germany in the 18th century. This amulet was bought for five shillings and one penny at the International Exhibition, London, 1872. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 930-1872 |
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| Record created | June 24, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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