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.
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