Amulet in the shape of a turtle, 1871-1900
- Made:
- 1871-1900 in Great Plains and North America
- maker:
- Sioux people
Leather amulet with bead decoration in the form of a turtle, possibly contains umbilical cord, Sioux people, Plains Indian, North America, late 19th century
Made from leather and decorated with beads and porcupine quills, this turtle-shaped amulet is thought to contain an umbilical cord. The amulet was worn by girls until they reached puberty to ward off illness. In many Native American belief systems, turtles were thought to look after women's diseases. It was possibly made by the Sioux people of the Great Plains, in North America.
Details
- Category:
- Ethnography and Folk Medicine
- Collection:
- Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
- Object Number:
- A230279
- Materials:
- leather, trim, glass and trim, porcupine quill
- Measurements:
-
length 220 mm
width 72 mm
thickness 38 mm
overall: length 300 mm
- type:
- amulet and human remains
- credit:
- Wellcome Trust
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