Amulet
1865-1870 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
These little pendants were described as charms from Malta when they were acquired by the Museum in 1872, but they are more likely to have been made in Italy. Jewellery and trinkets made of coral and ‘lava’ were popular souvenirs for tourists to the Naples area in the 19th century.
Coral was also widely used for amulets throughout the Mediterranean region in the 19th century, but the use of ‘lava’, in reality a kind of soft compact limestone found near Naples, was largely restricted to souvenirs. Although some of the shapes of these pieces are those of traditional amulets, it is more likely that they were intended only as decorative pieces, or charms for tourists.
They were bought for eleven shillings at the International Exhibition, London, 1872.
Coral was also widely used for amulets throughout the Mediterranean region in the 19th century, but the use of ‘lava’, in reality a kind of soft compact limestone found near Naples, was largely restricted to souvenirs. Although some of the shapes of these pieces are those of traditional amulets, it is more likely that they were intended only as decorative pieces, or charms for tourists.
They were bought for eleven shillings at the International Exhibition, London, 1872.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | carved coral and lava |
| Brief description | Bunch of nine coral and 'lava' amulets on a silver ring, Malta, 1865-1870. |
| Physical description | A bunch of nine amulets strung on a silver ring, consisting of four red coral fish, one red coral jug, one white coral holy water stoup, one brown ‘lava’ comb, one grey ‘lava’ helmet, and one grey ‘lava’ amphora. |
| Dimensions |
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| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | These little pendants were described as charms from Malta when they were acquired by the Museum in 1872, but they are more likely to have been made in Italy. Jewellery and trinkets made of coral and ‘lava’ were popular souvenirs for tourists to the Naples area in the 19th century. Coral was also widely used for amulets throughout the Mediterranean region in the 19th century, but the use of ‘lava’, in reality a kind of soft compact limestone found near Naples, was largely restricted to souvenirs. Although some of the shapes of these pieces are those of traditional amulets, it is more likely that they were intended only as decorative pieces, or charms for tourists. They were bought for eleven shillings at the International Exhibition, London, 1872. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 1471-1873 |
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| Record created | June 24, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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