Blog 7

 https://megsbaaportfolio.blogspot.com


'EVIL EYE'

- Pitt Rivers Museum

For my chosen item, I envisage this being in a history museum in a historic house/ building as it would not be fitting for an object of such age to be in a "modern" building. This item would fit well in the classification of a museum of human life rather than a museum of the everyday. 

The idea of the Evil Eye has been recorded to go back 5,000 years ago to Iraq. For many, wearing this symbol ensures protection from evil and that the evil will come and be deflected away by this symbol. (Pitt Rivers Museum. 1884. Amulets)

The Hand Amulet dates back to Persia in 1891 and can often be seen worn today. 

                                      

        Image sourced from a website 
Henryka (Henryka.co.uk)

<-Image sourced by myself from Pitt Rivers Museum (Nov 2023)



These evil deterrents have also been seen in motor cars:


- This amulet originated from Syria and was created for the purpose of hanging in a car. 

- This item dates back to 1956. 



<-Image sourced by myself from Pitt Rivers Museum (Nov 2023)


The idea of the evil eye has been developed over centuries. It has been used in many different parts of the world to ward off evil. It is an important part of many societies as it provides peace and protection, which is an important part of ensuring you live a healthy life as it allows for mental clarity. An important distinction needs to be made however; the 'evil eye' is a curse whereas the eye amulet is what dispels the curse. This is a common misconception (Hargitai, 2018). 



Reference list:

Pitt Rivers Museum (1884) Amulets.

Q. Hargitai (2018). The strange power of the Evil Eye. BBC. 

Hand Amulet image (2022) Henryka. Henryka.co.uk







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