3000 – Piece of Snake Skin

Physical description:

A section of snake skin, cream with fine grey markings, perhaps python. Possibly part of an African charm.

Museum classification:

Spells and Charms

Size:

18 cm x 12 cm

Information:

Found in a box containing objects mainly relating to African magic ('Witch-Doctor. Mau-Mau. Sundry Items.') Cecil Williamson wrote an interpretation card which may have accompanied this item:

"Snakes' skins as well as snake bone necklaces are always treasured by west country witches. In the case of snakes' skins these are used to wrap around the afflicted part while so doing a charm is recited or chanted. The skin is left in place for a while and then removed. Funny thing, it always seems to do the trick. From Tavistock." CWOLC (Cecil Williamson Object Label Catalogue) 7091.

This item may also relate to another item catalogued at 365 (lost in the 2004 flood). Given that it is python skin this object is more likely to be part of an African charm, and was possibly displayed in Williamson's Mau-Mau Exhibition.

 

Also likely related to Document 8043 which reads: "The snake in this bottle, together with the two prepared snakes' skins, used to be used by a wise man o the woods living in Somerset as a means thorough which he worked his magic."

Resource:

Object

Materials:

Snake skin

Found in a box containing objects mainly relating to African magic ('Witch-Doctor. Mau-Mau. Sundry Items.') Cecil Williamson wrote an interpretation card which may have accompanied this item:

"Snakes' skins as well as snake bone necklaces are always treasured by west country witches. In the case of snakes' skins these are used to wrap around the afflicted part while so doing a charm is recited or chanted. The skin is left in place for a while and then removed. Funny thing, it always seems to do the trick. From Tavistock." CWOLC (Cecil Williamson Object Label Catalogue) 7091.

This item may also relate to another item catalogued at 365 (lost in the 2004 flood). Given that it is python skin this object is more likely to be part of an African charm, and was possibly displayed in Williamson's Mau-Mau Exhibition.

 

Also likely related to Document 8043 which reads: "The snake in this bottle, together with the two prepared snakes' skins, used to be used by a wise man o the woods living in Somerset as a means thorough which he worked his magic."