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Pitt Rivers Museum

1985.52.2192.2

Amulet, one of two, pieces of parchment backed with brown paper, with pictures of saints and metal medals and crosses. [El.B 10/07/2012]


1985.52.2192.2

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Collection type
Object
Description
Amulet, one of two, pieces of parchment backed with brown paper, with pictures of saints and metal medals and crosses. [El.B 10/07/2012]
Long description
Amulet, piece of parchment backed with brown paper, with pictures of saints and metal medals and crosses. Glued onto the parchment side are seven printed pictures of saints. Two pictures are glued to the brown paper side. In the centre of the parchment two crosses and two medals are stitched on, and a piece of red textile has been glued on. One cross is stamped with letters: 'ZG H F BERS'. The other has depictions of tools: pliers, a candle, a ladder and others. One medal shows a woman with a halo looking at a crucifix, the other a figure in a bishop's hat. One medal was glued next to the others but has now come off. A separate piece of parchment and paper [.2] was possibly formerly attached to the main paper as well. This consists of a piece of paper with a cross printed on it, which has a picture of Mary and Jesus in the centre and letters all over it. This is attached to a piece of parchment onto which a printed paper is glued, with a picture of the adoration of the Three Kings and an inscription [see research notes]. [El.B 10/07/2012]
Geographical reference
Cologne
Date / Period
Date made: Before 1931
Date collected
By 1931
Acquisition information
Transferred: 1985
Materials and processes
Material Paper Plant, Material Parchment Skin Animal, Material Metal, Material Textile, Process Printed, Process Glued, Process Stitched, Process Struck
Dimensions
Length: max 116 mm, Length: max 19 mm Medal
Object numbers
Accession number: 1985.52.2192.2 Other numbers: 4372
Research and responses

The inscription on [.2] reads: 'Heilige drei Könige Caspar, Melchior, Balthasar, Bittet für uns jetzt und in der Stund unsers Todts. Diß an den Häuptern u. Reliquien der h. drey Könige in Cölln angestrichnes Brieflein ist gut für alle Reißgfahre Haupweh, Krankheit Fieber , Zauberey u. gähe Todt durch eine festen Glauben.' Translation: 'Holy Three Kings Caspar, Melchior, Balthasar, plead for us now and in the hour of our death. This paper, brushed against the heads and relics of the Holy Three Kings in Cologne works well against all dangers of travel, headache, illness, fever, magic and sudden death, through a steadfast faith.' [El.B 10/07/2012]

Search terms: Religion, Amulet, Religious Object, Medal