Page:Folk-lore - A Quarterly Review. Volume 24, 1913.djvu/85

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
Collectanea.
69

Fig. 20 (Pl. I.). A "sucker" (chupador) for an infant, composed of a piece of four-lobed and twisted clear glass mounted in silver as a pendant ; Granada. Said, by the vendor, to be considered protective against the evil eye. The glass is so shaped as to produce a confusing effect when it is turned even slightly on its axis, and this (possibly together with the crystalline appearance of the glass) would seem a valid reason for the assumed amuletic properties.

Fig. 21 (Pl. I.), A "sucker" for an infant, composed of a rod of clear glass containing twisted bands of blue, red, and white, mounted in silver as a pendant ; San Sebastian. Two other specimens, of similar form, differing in the breadth of the bands or in their colours, were obtained at the same time as this, and other similar specimens were noted at Madrid and Seville. In all instances the objects were referred to as being amuletically protective.

Fig. 22 (Pl. I.). A small pendant of twisted opaque white glass, in a silver socket ; Segovia. For an infant, against the evil eye.

Coral. — Fig. 23 (Pl. I.). A large piece of red coral, set in a gilt silver socket, with a small bell attached to the lower end; Madrid. An amulet for an infant (whose name is on the socket) of, probably, the seventeenth century, corresponding to the English "coral and bells."

Shells. — The opercule of the trochus shell is still commonly sold and used against headache. Generally it is set in a finger ring as shown in Fig. 44 (Pl. VII.), but I have noted pendants of it also, and, especially interesting, a pair of ear-rings (from Segovia) for the cure of megrims.

Fig. 24 (Pl. I.). A small shell, set in a silver socket with a chain ; Madrid. Amuletic intention not ascertained.

Fig. 25 (Pl. I.). A large shell, mounted in silver and with small bells ; Madrid. An amulet for an infant. The surface of the shell has been removed so as to expose a layer showing numerous broken and wavy lines. The vendor did not know of any special amuletic significance attached to the shell.

Fig. 26 (Pl. I.). A heart-shaped piece of mother-of-pearl, inscribed IHS, mounted in silver : Madrid. Mother-of-pearl seems to be rarely used for pendants in Spain, and the belief in its