Amulet book in iron cover with 'mano cornuta' in relief.

Collection type: Object
Description: Amulet book in iron cover with 'mano cornuta' in relief.
Long description: Small book in iron cover with mano cornuta in relief. Contains 13 pictures with inscriptions, and at the end the statement that the 13 figures combined form an ancient oriental talisman of great power, and that carried constantly it will exorcise the troubles of life. The figures are: a small hunchback for good luck; a pig for tranquillity, an easy life and all desired; a lion for strength to overcome enemies; a swallow, bringer of good news; a crescent moon to protect love during the night; a bottle to drive thought away; a cat, which is a traitor but protects from the like; a horn (mano cornuta) against envy; an anchor to save from tempests of the heart; a dog for friendship and fidelity; a deathshead against the last hour; a stewpan against witchcraft.
Geographical reference: Italy
Europe > Southern Europe > Italy; Florence Firenze
Cultural groups: Italian
Person: Field collector Walter Leo Hildburgh; PRM source Wellcome Institute; PRM source Wellcome Historical Medical Museum
Date / Period: Date made: Before 1902
Date collected: circa 1902
Acquisition information: Loaned: 1985
Materials and processes: Material Iron Metal, Material Paper Plant, Material Silver Metal, Process Inscribed, Process Cast
Dimensions: Length: max 29 mm, Width: max 23 mm, Depth: max 8 mm
Object numbers: Accession number: 1985.50.148

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