Amulet thumbnail 1
Amulet thumbnail 2
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Amulet

1890-1910 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

These three pendants are late examples of the kind of amulets that used to be worn 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.

These were intended to protect against the evil eye.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Stamped silver
Brief description
Three silver amulets, shaped like a star, a fist and a crescent moon, Madeira (Portugal), 1890-1910.
Physical description
Three charms, stamped from sheet silver, hanging from three interlocked silver rings. The charms are: an openwork five-pointed star in a plain ring; a crescent moon with a human face; and a hollow human fist, with the thumb protruding between the first and second fingers.
Dimensions
  • Across moon and star pendant, approximate width: 5cm
  • From human fist to bottom of star pendant (approximate) length: 4.5cm
Approximate width and length of the three pendants as they are grouped together.
Marks and inscriptions
  • 'G' in a shield, with dots above and below.

    Note
    On each of the rings.

  • Illegible mark.

    Note
    On the largest ring.

Credit line
Given by Dr W.L. Hildburgh FSA
Summary
These three pendants are late examples of the kind of amulets that used to be worn 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.

These were intended to protect against the evil eye.
Collection
Accession number
M.39-1917

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
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