Record
Charm of bone, known as 'Barbreck's bone'
< 1 of 1 > Back
Add to album
This elephant ivory plate, known as 'Barbreck's bone', belonged to the Campbells of Barbreck until 1829. Perhaps originally a book cover, it was later well known in Argyll as a cure for madness. It dates from the 11th or 12th century.
Charm made of a plate of ivory, called "Barbreck's bone", and celebrated as a cure for madness in Argyll
In Gaelic society in the early modern period, exotic things were increasingly assumed to have divine or mystical qualities. The plate was deemed of so much value that when it was borrowed £100 was needed as a deposit to guarantee its safe return.
Record details
To search on related items, click any underlined text below.
- Online ID: 000-100-002-705-C
- Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
- Project:
National Museums Scotland
Project description View all records in project - Ref: National Museums Scotland H.NO 2
- Date: 11th or 12th century
- Material: Ivory
Charm - Dimensions: 185 mm L x 100 mm W x 6 mm D
- What: Charm
- Subject: Jewellery: charms, amulets (NMAS Classification)
- Who:
- Where: Scotland, Argyll, Barbreck
- Event:
- Description:
- References:
- Black, G.F. 'Scottish Charms and Amulets'. Proceedings of the Society of Antiquities of Scotland 27, (1892-3), pp 433-526
- Translations:
- Related Records:
< 1 of 1 > Back