1985.52.150

Collection type

Object

Description

Amulet, model Eiffel Tower with hanging loop at the top. [MJD 06/02/2012]

Geographical reference

France

Europe > Western Europe > France

Paris

Person

Field collector Unknown Collector

PRM source Wellcome Institute

PRM source Wellcome Historical Medical Museum

Date

Date collected

By 1931

Acquisition information

Transferred: 1985

Materials and processes

Material White Metal, Material Pigment, Process Moulded, Process Painted

Dimensions

Height: max 35 mm, Width: max 15 mm

Object numbers

Accession number: 1985.52.150 Other numbers: 268 R 15280/ 1936 2527

Associated publications

This amulet was selected for the Small Blessings project website [http://web.prm.ox.ac.uk/amulets], online text as follows: These lucky mascots were purchased soon after the Eiffel Tower was built in 1889, and are still sold as souvenirs in Paris today. During construction, people also collected iron nuts found at the base of the Tower as keepsakes and to bring good luck. The Eiffel Tower was designed by and named after the French civil engineer and architect Gustave Eiffel, who later became known as le Magicien du Fer (the Iron Magician). It was built as the entrance to the Paris Exposition, a celebration of the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution, and took two years to complete. Initial reactions to the wrought iron Tower were mixed. Many prominent Parisians, including Alexander Dumas, Guy de Maupassant and Emile Zola, thought it was monstrous and useless, and petitioned against its construction. Offering panoramic views of Paris, it has since become a favourite icon and universal symbol of the city. [CB 29/08/2012]

Search terms: Religion, Model, Amulet