Charms

Add to album

These two seed pods or shells are thought to have been used as charms. They were sometimes called 'Molucca Beans'. They date from the 19th or 20th century.

Two seeds probably used as charms

Exotic tropical seeds have always been carried from West Africa, the West Indies or South America, onto British Atlantic coastal shores by the currents of the Atlantic Drift. There is a tradition that some species of drift seeds were placed in the hands of women in labour by the midwife.

Record details

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

• Online ID: 000-100-002-735-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.NO 49
• Date: 19th or 20th century
  
• Material: Seed
  Charm
  
• Dimensions: 45 mm Dia; 50 mm Dia
  
• What: Charm
  
• Subject: Jewellery: charms, amulets (NMAS Classification)
  
• Who:
• Where:
• Event:
• Description:
• References:
  • Black, G.F. 'Scottish charms and amulets', Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland 27 (1892-3), pp 479-82 
  • Carmichael, A., Carrina Gadelica vol II, Edinburgh: 1972, p 225 
• Translations:
• Related Records: