Electrogalvanic amulet

Electrogalvanic amulet, disc with zinc cross surrounded by six-petaled flower of zinc and copper, suspended on chain made of alternating copper and iron(?) links, made by I. Morana, Geneva, Swiss, 1870-1935. Six holes around edge, two used to attach chain. 'I.MORANA. | GENEVE' engraved on face. Note gap in iron(?) band around edge of disc. Similar to Richardsons-type amulets (A602762, A602763).

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. There were several designs on on the UK, European, and US markets that claimed to treat everything including low spirits, loss of appetite, back-ache, dizziness and flu.

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