2940 – Bird claw charm in leather pouch
- Physical description:
- Bird foot charm in leather pouch, with illegible ink inscription.
- Museum classification:
- Protection
- Size:
- 93x45x12
- Information:
This leather pouch contains the claw of a feather-footed bird, probably a ptarmigan or grouse. The pouch is inscribed with the name and address of its presumed owner, mostly illegible, apart from the line: Bude, Cornwall. Although its provenance is unknown, the vendor suggested that it was used as good-luck charm by a Cornish soldier serving in World War I or II. The use of bird claws and feet in charms extends over much of the world. In Native American religious practice, the claw of an eagle or other large bird is used to invoke the deity with which one wishes to commune. The Chirichaua use humming-bird claws as charms to protect their children. In the African Kongo religion, wooden minkisi are animal shaped fetishes with recesses for magical curing substances, including bird and animal claws. In Scotland, the use of grouse feet in brooches and charms is a well-known good luck charm. In India, wearing the paw or claw of an animal imparts to the wearer that animals' qualities.
- Resource:
- Object
- Materials:
- Leather, ink, bird claw
This leather pouch contains the claw of a feather-footed bird, probably a ptarmigan or grouse. The pouch is inscribed with the name and address of its presumed owner, mostly illegible, apart from the line: Bude, Cornwall. Although its provenance is unknown, the vendor suggested that it was used as good-luck charm by a Cornish soldier serving in World War I or II. The use of bird claws and feet in charms extends over much of the world. In Native American religious practice, the claw of an eagle or other large bird is used to invoke the deity with which one wishes to commune. The Chirichaua use humming-bird claws as charms to protect their children. In the African Kongo religion, wooden minkisi are animal shaped fetishes with recesses for magical curing substances, including bird and animal claws. In Scotland, the use of grouse feet in brooches and charms is a well-known good luck charm. In India, wearing the paw or claw of an animal imparts to the wearer that animals' qualities.