Brass amulet to protect the wearer from cholera, France, 1820-1880

Brass medallion involving the protection of St. Roch against cholera, France, 1820-1880

Hung on thread or chains and worn around the neck, the metal amulet shown in the top of the photograph was worn as protection against cholera. The reverse shows St Roch (1295-1327), a Christian saint. Roch was a Christian pilgrim who was believed to cure sufferers of, and protect against, plague. Once plague was no longer a threat in Europe, St Roch’s protection was transferred to other diseases, such as cholera. Amulets have been worn for thousands of years to protect the wearer from illness, ill fortune and bad luck. It is shown here with two other amulets that feature images of St Roch. (A677845 and A677945).