Heart-shaped amulet

Made:
1914-1918 in England

Small heart-shaped amulet, of faceted glass with metal a metal mount and hoop for attachment, supposedly carried by man of the Sussex Regiment during the 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. This small glass heart-shaped amulet was reputedly carried by man from the Sussex Regiment 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 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:
A79974
Materials:
glass and surround, brass
Measurements:
overall: 8 mm x 20 mm x 30 mm, .004 kg
type:
protective amulets
credit:
Lovett Collection