1985.52.599

Collection type

Object

Description

Amulet, metal pendant in the shape of a bugle horn, with figures on one side, a key and an inscription on the other, with a loop for suspension. [ACA 23/03/2012]

Long description

Amulet, metal pendant in the shape of a bugle horn, with figures on one side, a key and an inscription on the other, with a loop for suspension. The pendant is cast in metal with a figure of St Hubert kneeling in front of a deer, as well as a figure of a dog and a horse. On the other side there is a key in relief with the inscription "CLEF DE ST. HUBERT" above it. There is a loop for suspension. [ACA 23/03/2012]

Geographical reference

Belgium

Europe > Western Europe > Belgium

Person

Field collector Unknown Collector

PRM source Wellcome Institute

PRM source Wellcome Historical Medical Museum

Date / Period

Date made: Before 1891

Date collected

1891

Acquisition information

Transferred: 1985

Materials and processes

Material Copper Alloy Metal, Process Cast, Process Perforated, Process Inscribed

Dimensions

Height: max 56 mm, Width: max 55 mm

Object numbers

Accession number: 1985.52.599 Other numbers: 1127

Associated publications

This amulet was selected for the Small Blessings project website [http://web.prm.ox.ac.uk/amulets], online text as follows: This metal pendant in the shape of a bugle horn is decorated on both sides. One side depicts a key in relief with the inscription ʻCLEF DE ST. HUBERTʼ (ʻkey of Saint Hubertʼ) above it, while the other side depicts Saint Hubert kneeling in front of a deer, accompanied by a dog and a horse. Hubert was born in AD 656 and died in AD 727 or 728. As the grandson of the King of Toulouse he spent his youth in the court of Neustria, a region that once covered most of northern France. According to legend, Hubert was out hunting in the Ardennes forest on a Good Friday morning when a magnificent stag with a crucifix between its antlers appeared. At the same moment Hubert heard a voice telling him that if he did not begin to lead a holy life he would quickly go to hell. Heeding the vision, Hubert renounced his noble title and all his wealth and travelled to Maastricht to study for the priesthood under the guidance of Saint Lambert. He was ordained, and later became the bishop of Liège in Belgium. Hubert devoted his life to preaching, helping the poor, and converting pagans still living in the forest. He was widely venerated in the Middle Ages, and because of his association with hunting he became a popular patron saint of hunters. His feast day, which is celebrated on 3 November, coincides with the opening of the hunting season in many parts of Europe. [CB 29/08/2012]

Search terms: Religion, Ornament, Figure, Writing, Amulet, Pendant, Animal Figure, Religious Object, Inscription, Neck Ornament