Red plaited and knotted thread necklace, Middle East, 1880-1935
- Made:
- 1880-1935 in Middle East
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Buy this image as a print
BuyLicense this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library
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Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Red plaited and knotted thread worn round child's neck to
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London
Red plaited and knotted thread worn round child'd neck to
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Red plaited and knotted thread worn round child's neck to prevent nosebleeds, Middle Eastern(?), 1880-1935
Medical treatment based on belief and superstition – customs that often went back generations – continued to be practised in the 1800s and 1900s despite the growing influence of biomedicine. This thread necklace was used to prevent nosebleeds in children and adults. As well as being annoying for a person, sudden nosebleeds were considered to be bad luck.
The knotted thread was purchased in 1930 from Edward Lovett’s (1852-1933) collection of amulets and charms. Lovett was interested in folk remedies nearly all his life and began collecting from the age of eight.
Details
- Category:
- Ethnography and Folk Medicine
- Collection:
- Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
- Object Number:
- A666047
- Materials:
- threads, cotton
- Measurements:
-
overall: 260 mm x 30 mm,
- type:
- amulet
