Charmstone

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This charm, made from a natural concretion, was hung at the foot of a bed in Galloway or Kirkcudbrightshire to keep away evil dreams or nightmares.

Shaped like a foot, it is a naturally formed piece of flint with the centre eroded.

It was said to have been found in use by a policeman in Wigtownshire at Gordieston Mill in Dalry and described as a 'mare-stone'. It was given to the Museum by Sir Herbert Eustace Maxwell in 1889.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-002-727-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.NO 37
• Date: 18th or 19th century
  
• Material: Concretion
  
• Dimensions: 25 mm H x 60 mm x 38 mm
  
• What:
• Subject: Jewellery: charms, amulets (NMAS Classification)
  
• Who:
• Where: Galloway
  
• Event:
• Description: Charm made from a natural concretion which had been hung at the foot of the bed to ward off evil dreams, from Galloway
  
• References:
  • Black, G.F. 'Scottish charms and amulets', Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland 27 (1892-3), p 459 
• Translations:
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