Artifacts - Blog Posts

I can die happy

Roman rock-crystal icosahedron (20-sided dice) used in fortune-telling. Each face has a Latin letter on it and a corresponding Roman numeral, then matched with pre-prepared oracle answers in a divination handbook. Currently at the Louvre.

See more: https://thetravelbible.com/top-artifacts-from-ancient-rome/

philippino anting-anting talisman vests

A stone marker at a holy site dedicated to the dual lunar cult of Tanit and Astarte; Phoenician night goddesses worshipped from the Bronze Age through classical antiquity, alongside their horned consort Ba'al Hammon, “Lord of Braziers”, classically associated with Saturn.

A silver talisman from the 6th or 7th century, inscribed with words similar to abracadabra. #magic

In 1561 an innkeeper called Hew Draper was imprisoned in the Tower of London for sorcery. Whilst incarcerated he made these carvings in the walls which displayed astrological symbols and numbers.

Galdrakver (‘Little Book Of Magic’) The ‘Little Book Of Magic’ is a seventeenth-century Icelandic manuscript, written on animal skin and containing magical staves, sigils, prayers, charms and related texts.

It is known to have once been owned by Icelandic Bishop Hannes Finnson who was alive from 1739 until 1796 and known for having a vast library containing many volumes of magic related texts and manuscripts. Full manuscript here.

Bronze hand used in the worship of Sabazios. Hands decorated with religious symbols were designed to stand in sanctuaries or, like this one, were attached to poles for processional use.

Date: Roman 1st–2nd century AD. Collection: British Museum.

A toothpick in the shape of a fish, scrimshawed by a sailor aboard a ship, mid-19th century

A lighthouse keeper made "Trinity House" sewing box, mid 19th century

Formal - Mediterranean Living Room