1893.18.1

Collection type

Object

Description

Amulet - a loop of Rowan tree. [DCF Court Team 23/1/2003]

Geographical reference

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Europe > Northern Europe > United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

England North Yorkshire Grosmont [Esk Valley]

Cultural groups

English

Person

Maker Unknown Maker

Field collector John Christopher Atkinson

PRM source John Christopher Atkinson

Date / Period

Date made: Before 1893

Date collected

By 1893

Acquisition information

Donated: 28/02/1893

Materials and processes

Material Wood Plant

Dimensions

Length: max 70 mm

Object numbers

Accession number: 1893.18.1

Associated publications

Mentioned in Ellen Ettlinger, Folklore vol 54, no. 1, (March 1943) pp 227-249, 'Equally common prophylactics in Great Britain are rowan-tree-amulets, two different forms of which can be found in the Pitt Rivers Museum, namely crosses and loops. The rowan-tree-crosses, "made by an old man in Corgarff, Strathdon Aberdeen about 1893" were put into every opening in the house to secure the inhabitants from the intrusion of witches.[Rev Walter Gregor in the International Folklore Congress p 451] In this case the protective power of the rowan-tree itself is enhanced by the sacred form of the cross. Regarding the rowan-tree-loops, the efficacy of the material was intensified by a magical rite, for we learn that "two of them were fixed as protection against witches on the railing of Dr Alexander's house in Castleton, Yorks., and a third one on a gate spike before the church porch by a horseman who turned his horse thrice before setting each loop. [Information from PRM according to Canon Atkinson]' [p.238]

Search terms: Religion, Ornament, Religious Object, Amulet