Amulet in the form of a bullet

Made:
1914-1918
Amulet, iron (and Tin( ?)), bullet with Belgian tricolour Amulet, iron (and Tin( ?)), bullet with Belgian tricolour

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Amulet, iron (and Tin( ?)), bullet with Belgian tricolour
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Amulet, iron (and Tin( ?)), bullet with Belgian tricolour
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Bullet with attached metal Belgian tricolour decoration and loop for attachments, used as an amulet, reputedly carried as by a soldier fighting during First World War, 1914-1918, from the Lovett collection.

The carrying of ‘lucky charms’ – as protective amulets against ill health and physical danger – is common in many cultures around the world. Described as a ‘spent German bullet’ and embellished with a small metal Belgian tricolour flag and a metal loop for attachment, it was reputedly carried by a soldier fighting during First World War, 1914-1918.

The amulet was bought for the Wellcome collection in 1930 from Edward Lovett’s (1852-1933) collection of British amulets and charms. Lovett was a collector who documented different medical traditions and beliefs.

Details

Category:
Ethnography and Folk Medicine
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A79884
Materials:
iron and tin, ? material
type:
protective amulets
credit:
Lovett Collection