Richardson's galvanic amulet

Richardson's galvanic amulet, 2 magneto galvanic plaques against disease,de Boyeres' modification, brass, steel, zinc and copper, 173 Boulevard Murat, Paris, France, 1870-1900.

From the De Mortilet Collection No. 2987

Worn against the skin and in contact with sweat, amulets made up of a combination of metal alloys were believed to create a weak electrical charge, recharging the body's electrical supply. It was based on an ideal that electricity was responsible for healthy nerves and blood flow. Richardson's galvanic amluet was one of several on the UK and US markets that claimed to treat everything including low spirits, loss of appetite, back-ache, dizziness and flu. Ferdinand de Boyères (1840-1890), a French businessman and publisher, sold his version of a galvanic amulet, which his wife continued after his death. His brother Paul also sold counterfeited versions of the amulet.

Galvanic was a term used for the production of electricity from a chemical reaction.