Charmstone

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This irregularly-shaped waterworn pebble was found hanging on the bed of an old fisherwoman at Stonehaven in Kincardineshire. It is a 'mare stone' or a charm to keep away nightmares, and was used by the woman between around 1885 and 1890.

Irregularly-shaped waterworn pebble found hanging on the bed of an old fisherwoman in Stonehaven, who called it a "mare stone" to keep away nightmares, c. 1885 - 1890

The stone was found by Rev. D. G. Barron who gave it to the Museum in 1922.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-002-766-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.NO 98
• Date: c. 1885 - 1890
  Late 19th century
  
• Material: Stone, waterworn
  
• Dimensions: 110 mm x 65 mm x 60 mm
  
• What:
• Subject: Jewellery: charms, amulets (NMAS Classification)
  
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Kincardineshire, Stonehaven
  
• Event:
• Description:
• References:
  • Black, G. F., 'Scottish charms and amulets' in Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland 27 (1892-3), pp 456-9 
  • Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland 46 (1922-3), p 46 
• Translations:
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