Charm

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This dark brown seed was used as a charm in the 19th century. Similar examples of charms which are 'drift seeds', probably picked up on the coasts of the Hebrides, were used as protective charms by women in childbirth.

Seed or nut, dark brown in colour, used as a charm, 19th century

These drift seed charms are first mentioned in John Morrison's 'Descriptions of Lewis' of between around 1678 and 1688. They have been referred to in the southern Outer Hebridies as 'Airne Moire' or 'Mary's Nut'. This example is from the collection of the late Dr G.F. Black, presented to the collections of the Museum in 1959.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-103-780-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.NO 100
• Date: 19th century
  
• Material: Seed / nut
  
• Dimensions: 0.95"
  
• What:
• 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 II, p 225; III pp 126-7; IV pp 192-3 
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