Fig. 15 (Pl. I.). A pendant formed of a piece of dark amber-coloured hardstone, mounted in brass ; Madrid. The stone appears to be a very small, but carefully made, neolithic axe (or ornament in the form of an axe) mounted with its cutting edge downward. There is a hole for suspension near the upper limit, indicating that the stone had probably been used as an amulet before having been placed in its present mounting.
Fig. 16 (Pl. I.). A heart-shaped piece of dark grey fossil madrepore coral, apparently ancient, showing traces of having been mounted in metal, presumably as a pendant; Seville. Madreporite, which belongs to that class of amulets of which the effect is produced by the confusing of the evil-working eye or evil-working mind, seems to have been a favourite amulet amongst the ancient Romans, just as it still is amongst their Italian descendants,[1] and, to a lesser degree, elsewhere where Roman influence penetrated. In Spain, however, modern amulets of madreporite seem to be extremely rare, if not altogether lacking.
Fig. 17 (Pl. I.). An ovoid piece of clear glass, flattened on each side so that it resembles somewhat a human eye, mounted in silver as a pendant ; San Sebastian. A hole has been bored longitudinally at some period anterior to that of the mounting. Probably, like Fig. 29 (Pl. VIII.), an eye form against fascination. [2]
Fig. 18 (Pl. I.). A facetted piece of clear glass, mounted in silver as a pendant ; Madrid. Near the top there is a small hole for suspension. Probably originally a drop from a crystal chandelier, later mounted as an amulet against the evil eye.[3]
Fig. 19 (Pl. I.). A pendant ornament, probably for a child, formed of a piece of clear glass cut as if twisted of three heavy strands and mounted in silver ; Madrid. Concerning this form, which is unusual, I could obtain no information ; I think that it may have been considered protective for reasons similar to those given for the next specimen.
- ↑ Cf. Bellucci, op. cit., Tablet vii. ; and Amulettes Italiennes etc.
- ↑ Cf. Bellucci, op. cit., Tablet x.
- ↑ Bellucci, op. cit., Tablet x., speaks of crystal glass amulets commonly known as Vetri del Malocchio, and preferred in the form of ornamental pendants from lamps or chandeliers, or as the facetted stoppers of glass bottles.
