1829 – Spirit bottle: Witch bottle
- Physical description:
- Small glass bottle filled with pieces of coloured wool.
- Museum classification:
- Spells and Charms
- Size:
- 90 x 40 x 30
- Information:
The donor writes: 'Witch bottles are an old part of the folk magic tradition. They are traditionally used to keep bad spirits or influences away from your house. Some are filled with sharp metal objects and vinegar or urine. Another traditional form of witch bottle is packed with short pieces of thread. The idea is that the threads form a dense maze, which will confuse the spirits so they won't be able to get past the bottle. I have adapted the tradition a little. I do a lot of sewing, embroidery and knitting; mostly I make magickal artefacts. Every time I make something, I snip off the odd ends of thread or wool and put them into a bottle. Thus these bottles, in addition to providing protection, should exude some of the creative and magickal energy that went into their making.'
See also 1830.- Resource:
- Object
- Materials:
- Glass, fabric, plastic
- Copyright ownership:
- Treetrunk Ltd
The donor writes: 'Witch bottles are an old part of the folk magic tradition. They are traditionally used to keep bad spirits or influences away from your house. Some are filled with sharp metal objects and vinegar or urine. Another traditional form of witch bottle is packed with short pieces of thread. The idea is that the threads form a dense maze, which will confuse the spirits so they won't be able to get past the bottle. I have adapted the tradition a little. I do a lot of sewing, embroidery and knitting; mostly I make magickal artefacts. Every time I make something, I snip off the odd ends of thread or wool and put them into a bottle. Thus these bottles, in addition to providing protection, should exude some of the creative and magickal energy that went into their making.'
See also 1830.