Cross-shaped amulet

Made:
1917 in unknown place
Amulet, copper, cross, Belgian, 1917

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Amulet, copper, cross, Belgian, 1917
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Crudely made copper crucifix amulet with loop for attachment, said to be Belgian and date from 1917, carried by a soldier during the First World War.

The carrying of ‘lucky charms’ – as protective amulets against ill health and physical danger – is common in many cultures around the world. Luck played a major role in combatant’s fate during the First World War, 1914-1918. As such, soldiers of all nations put great faith in lucky charms and amulets. Whether given by family and loved ones, bought commercially or chosen for personal significance, these special forms of protection were carried into battle. This simple copper crucifix is described as Belgian and dating from 1917. It is probably made from an artillery shell casing and was reputedly carried by a soldier during the First World War, 1914-1918

The amulet was bought for the Wellcome collection in 1930 from Edward Lovett’s (1852-1933) collection of mostly 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:
A85033
Materials:
copper
type:
protective amulets
credit:
Lovett Collection