329 – Hand forged Athame with curled guard
- Physical description:
- Simple hand-forged athame, with polished wood hilt with downward curling steel guard.
- Museum classification:
- Working Tools
- Size:
- 350 long
- Information:
Companion to 1419.
Original text by Cecil Williamson: 'In west country witchcraft daggers and knives are to be found. But they must, and this is essential, be hand made by the witch herself or a direct blood relative of not more than three generations removed. Heating, beating out, forging and forming your own weapon is no mean task for any woman. The reason for this do-it-yourself procedure was that the witch formed and forged the blade to serve and protect her alone. These two examples of the witch's craftsmanship may appear crude, but they each have an uncanny and strange feel to them. Certainly a weapon not to be trusted or used by a stranger.'- Resource:
- Object
- Materials:
- Wood, iron
- Copyright ownership:
- Copyright to The Museum of Witchcraft Ltd.
Companion to 1419.
Original text by Cecil Williamson: 'In west country witchcraft daggers and knives are to be found. But they must, and this is essential, be hand made by the witch herself or a direct blood relative of not more than three generations removed. Heating, beating out, forging and forming your own weapon is no mean task for any woman. The reason for this do-it-yourself procedure was that the witch formed and forged the blade to serve and protect her alone. These two examples of the witch's craftsmanship may appear crude, but they each have an uncanny and strange feel to them. Certainly a weapon not to be trusted or used by a stranger.'