Charmstone

Add to album

This flat oblong piece of stone comes from Islay in the Inner Hebrides. The naturally occurring piece of slate has been cut, dressed and decorated and credited with curative properties. It may have been the amulet of a folk healer.

Flat oblong stone, notched on the sides and pierced with two holes, used as a charm for curing disease in Islay

It was given to the Museum by Robert Graham in 1784.

Record details

To search on related items, click any underlined text below.

• Online ID: 000-100-002-704-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.NO 1
• Date: 17th or 18th century
  
• Material: Stone
  
• Dimensions: 170 mm L x 70 mm W x 7 mm D
  
• What:
• Subject: Jewellery: charms, amulets (NMAS Classification)
  
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Argyll, Islay
  
• Event:
• Description:
• References:
  • Black, G. F. 'Scottish charms and amulets' in Proceeding of the Society of Antiquities of Scotland Vol 27 (1892-3), pp 450-66 
• Translations:
• Related Records: