1022 – Oyster Shell Charm
- Physical description:
- Dark-coloured oyster shell painted with red symbols - 2 hearts pierced vertically with arrow, initials J and R, zodiac symbols, female symbol. Sewn into Richel Collection box with red thread. (Part of Richel Collection.)
- Museum classification:
- Spells & Charms
- Size:
- 120 x 90 x 10 mm
- Information:
We know very little about the history of this object but can deduce that it is probably a love spell or charm between a Taurean 'J' and a Gemini 'R'.
The oyster shell will ensure fertility.
It incorporates the astrological sign for Taurus, the astrological sign for Gemini, a male sign and a female sign.
Red thread binds the two initials together. The two touching hearts seem obvious love symbols.
From the northern Netherlands. Late 19th/ early 20th century.However, there is a label on the back of the box which identifies this as an 'amulet ter afwering van vuurgevaar' - an amulet to protect against the danger of fire. This is also possible, as folk magic traditions confirm it - oyster shells were routinely used in Europe during the Roman to early modern period as building materials on roofs and within wall cavities as they are fire resistant - their natural magical quality could be drawn upon here in this charm.
Donated by Bob Richel, Amsterdam, Feb 2000.
See also 721.This object was loaned to the British Library for The British Library ‘Harry Potter’ Exhibition [ London: October 2017- Feb 2018, New York: October 2018 – January 2019, Kobe: September 2021 - November 2021, Tokyo: December 2021 - March 2022 ]
- Resource:
- Object
- Materials:
- Shell
We know very little about the history of this object but can deduce that it is probably a love spell or charm between a Taurean 'J' and a Gemini 'R'.
The oyster shell will ensure fertility.
It incorporates the astrological sign for Taurus, the astrological sign for Gemini, a male sign and a female sign.
Red thread binds the two initials together. The two touching hearts seem obvious love symbols.
From the northern Netherlands. Late 19th/ early 20th century.
However, there is a label on the back of the box which identifies this as an 'amulet ter afwering van vuurgevaar' - an amulet to protect against the danger of fire. This is also possible, as folk magic traditions confirm it - oyster shells were routinely used in Europe during the Roman to early modern period as building materials on roofs and within wall cavities as they are fire resistant - their natural magical quality could be drawn upon here in this charm.
Donated by Bob Richel, Amsterdam, Feb 2000.
See also 721.
This object was loaned to the British Library for The British Library ‘Harry Potter’ Exhibition [ London: October 2017- Feb 2018, New York: October 2018 – January 2019, Kobe: September 2021 - November 2021, Tokyo: December 2021 - March 2022 ]