Amulet
1865-1870 (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.
The ‘fig’ amulet, shaped like a clenched fist with the thumb protruding between the first and second fingers, is a very ancient amulet against the evil eye. It dates back at least to Roman times, and probably much earlier. This type, carved in jet, is unique to Spain. In Italy it is still very popular, particularly in the south, but it seems to have gone out of use in Spain towards the end of the 19th century.
The ‘fig’ amulet, shaped like a clenched fist with the thumb protruding between the first and second fingers, is a very ancient amulet against the evil eye. It dates back at least to Roman times, and probably much earlier. This type, carved in jet, is unique to Spain. In Italy it is still very popular, particularly in the south, but it seems to have gone out of use in Spain towards the end of the 19th century.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Carved black jet in a silver mount |
| Brief description | Black jet higa amulet in a silver mount, Cordoba (Spain), 1865-1870. |
| Physical description | Pendant of polished black jet carved in the shape of a stylised clenched fist, with the thumb protruding between the first two fingers. The upper part, by the wrist, is decorated with cross-hatching. There is a silver cap on the top, with raised diagonal lines round its side, and a ring on the top with a loose ring threaded through it. |
| Dimensions |
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| 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. The ‘fig’ amulet, shaped like a clenched fist with the thumb protruding between the first and second fingers, is a very ancient amulet against the evil eye. It dates back at least to Roman times, and probably much earlier. This type, carved in jet, is unique to Spain. In Italy it is still very popular, particularly in the south, but it seems to have gone out of use in Spain towards the end of the 19th century. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 1203-1871 |
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| Record created | June 24, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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