Sheep bone amulet, worn by fishermen and sailors
Sheep bone amulet, traditionally said to provide protection against drowning and reputedly worn by north sea fishermen and sailors aboard mine-sweepers 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. Those working at sea, across different cultures, have traditionally carried charms to protect them from drowning. This sheep bone amulet, is of a type reputedly worn by north sea fishermen and sailors aboard mine-sweepers 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:
- A79898
- Materials:
- bone
- Measurements:
-
overall: 5 mm x 50 mm x 25 mm, .002 kg
- type:
- protective amulets
- credit:
- Loan, Wellcome Trust (Lovett Collection)
