Amulet, bronze hand incorporating other symbols. [El.B 03/11/2008]

Collection type: Object
Description: Amulet, bronze hand incorporating other symbols. [El.B 03/11/2008]
Long description: The hand has the thumb and the first two fingers stretched out, with a phallus in place of the thumb, a ram's head at the base of the thumb and a snake on its side. The first two fingers are connected at the tips by a crossbar, and there is a second snake at the base of the forefinger. On top of the two bent fingers is a human head. There are several more figures on the hand but they are too indistinct to be described. [El.B 03/11/2008]
Geographical reference: Italy
Europe > Southern Europe > Italy; Rome Tusculum
Cultural groups: Italian
Person: Field collector Frederick Thomas Elworthy; PRM source Somerset Archaeological Society; PRM source Somerset County Museum, Taunton
Date / Period: Date made: Before 1903
Date collected: 1903
Acquisition information: Loaned: 07/1968
Materials and processes: Material Bronze Metal, Process Cast
Dimensions: Length: max 116 mm
Object numbers: Accession number: 1968.13.448
Research and responses: Relevant publications: The Evil Eye, an Account of this Ancient and Widespread Superstition, by Frederick Thomas Elworthy, London. John Murray, Albemarle Street, 1895. Horns of Honour and Other Studies in the By-ways of Archaeology, by Frederick Thomas Elworthy, London, John Murray, Albemarle Street, 1900.

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