3853 – Lead charm with Daisy Wheel Design

Physical description:

A circular lead talisman, mainly grey in colour but with brownish areas, inscribed with a daisy wheel (also known as a hexafoil or 'witch mark'), and other fainter protection marks.

Museum classification:

Protection

Size:

60 x 60 x 1

Information:

This item was found in the back lawn of an old stately home in Winchfield, Hampshire by the lender.

It is a small piece of lead, inscribed with three daisy wheels (two very faint); the design progresses across the face of the lead. On the back, a series of failed circles, daisy wheels, around a number of indented compass-marks can be seen.  The unusual and somewhat sporadic design on the back suggests that this was once a larger piece of lead that was removed and clipped to preserve the daisy-wheel designs. Alternatively the design was inscribed piecemeal on this piece of lead for a specific apotropaic purpose.

The context of the find suggests deposition for ritual purpose, as the daisy-wheel design is well known as a protective mark, either against witchcraft or to preserve a building or area from general harm.

The donor relates a piece of local folklore - 'a mile or so away is a old dead oak tree that is known by locals as the 'witches tree' that supposedly a witch was hung from'.  Perhaps the owners of the house wanted to protect their property from this supposed witch?

Whilst daisy-wheels are often found on buildings and upon furniture, it was very unusual to find them on portable objects like this.  The lack of a suspension hole does not suggest that it was worn around the neck, although it could easily be carried in the pocket.  The item is tentatively dated from c. 1750 to 1950.

 

PH

This is one of the objects that was on loan to the York Archaeological Trust for exhibition at the Merchant Adventurers' Hall from July 18th 2018 - February 19th 2019.

Resource:

Object

Materials:

Lead

Copyright ownership:

MWM

This item was found in the back lawn of an old stately home in Winchfield, Hampshire by the lender.

It is a small piece of lead, inscribed with three daisy wheels (two very faint); the design progresses across the face of the lead. On the back, a series of failed circles, daisy wheels, around a number of indented compass-marks can be seen.  The unusual and somewhat sporadic design on the back suggests that this was once a larger piece of lead that was removed and clipped to preserve the daisy-wheel designs. Alternatively the design was inscribed piecemeal on this piece of lead for a specific apotropaic purpose.

The context of the find suggests deposition for ritual purpose, as the daisy-wheel design is well known as a protective mark, either against witchcraft or to preserve a building or area from general harm.

The donor relates a piece of local folklore - 'a mile or so away is a old dead oak tree that is known by locals as the 'witches tree' that supposedly a witch was hung from'.  Perhaps the owners of the house wanted to protect their property from this supposed witch?

Whilst daisy-wheels are often found on buildings and upon furniture, it was very unusual to find them on portable objects like this.  The lack of a suspension hole does not suggest that it was worn around the neck, although it could easily be carried in the pocket.  The item is tentatively dated from c. 1750 to 1950.

 

PH

This is one of the objects that was on loan to the York Archaeological Trust for exhibition at the Merchant Adventurers' Hall from July 18th 2018 - February 19th 2019.