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1985.52.938.2

Amulet, circular tablet made of white clay, with a figure of a nursing woman on one side, and a geometric motif on the other, in a box. The other identical amulet is 1985.52.938 .2 [ASh [OPS move] 18/1/2017]

1985.52.938.2

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Collection type
Object
Description
Amulet, circular tablet made of white clay, with a figure of a nursing woman on one side, and a geometric motif on the other, in a box. The other identical amulet is 1985.52.938 .2 [ASh [OPS move] 18/1/2017]
Long description
Amulet, two circular tablets made of white clay, with a figure of a nursing woman on one side, and a geometric motif on the other, in a box. These stones are in a cardboard box and are from the Milk Grotto. [.2] has a chip in it. [RB 19/04/2012]
Geographical reference
Palestine
Asia > Western Asia > Palestine
Bethlehem
Date / Period
Date made: Before 1931
Date collected
By 1931
Acquisition information
Transferred: 1985
Materials and processes
Material Clay, Process Moulded
Dimensions
Diameter: max 28 mm
Object numbers
Accession number: 1985.52.938.2 Other numbers: 1850
Research and responses

Please note that the Milk Grotto, also known as Magharet Sitti Mariam or Grotto of the Lady Mary is in Bethlehem. Tradition has it that the Virgin Mary, Joseph and Jesus took refuge here during the Slaughter of the Innocents, before their flight into Egypt and whilst Mary was nursing Jesus, a drop of milk fell on the ground and turned it white. Both Christians and Muslims believe that dust scraped from the stones in the grotto improve a mother's milk and can enhance fertility. [MdeA 24/02/2012]

Associated publications
This amulet was selected for the Small Blessings project website [http://web.prm.ox.ac.uk/amulets], online text as follows: 'These two circular tablets are made of white clay from the milk grotto in Bethlehem. One side of the tablets is impressed with a geometric motif, and the other side shows a feint figure of the Virgin Mary holding the baby Jesus. According to legend, Mary was nursing Jesus in the grotto when a drop of milk spilled onto the ground and turned it white. This miracle led to the belief that dust and clay from the grotto, which is made of limestone, can enhance fertility and improve a motherʼs milk. Although tablets of clay like these ones are no longer sold, the Franciscans who oversee the shrine still prepare small packets of limestone powder to give in return for a small donation. They instruct that both husband and wife should drink the powder mixed with milk or water for nine days, and recite the prayer for the Third Joyful Mystery of the Rosary which recalls the birth of Jesus, known as the Nativity.' [CB 29/08/2012] Both 1985.52.938.1 and 1985.52.938.2 are illustrated in colour (front and back) as Figure 10 on page 97 of 'Marie la Chétienne, Marie la Musulmane', by Isabelle Marquette et Manöel Pénicaud', in Lieux Saints Partagés (Marseille: MuCEM / Actes Sud, 2015). Caption (same page): 'Amulettes de la grotte du Lait, Bethléem (Palestine), 1931, argile blanche, diam. 2,8 cm, Pitt Rivers Museum, Oxford. Sur les deux figures de bas, on devine les silhouettes à demi effacées de la sainte Famille.' [JC 29 7 2015]

Search terms: Religion, Pottery, Amulet, Religious Object

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