Supersition Collection

Peru, Clay bulls are common rooftop ornaments throughout Peru. Said to bring good luck and protect from evil spirits

Black cat, c.1910 (print)
7293179 Black cat, c.1910 (print); (add.info.: Paranormal. superstition. "Good Luck." A black cat, sign of wealth in the United Kingdom)

Faience amulet
5304681 Faience amulet.; (add.info.: Roman-Egyptian, Faience amulet depicting the Lion Headed Hercules. 100-300 AD.); Universal History Archive/UIG

Amulet Container (Ga'u) 1900-1920
5304650 Amulet Container (Ga'u) 1900-1920.; (add.info.: Men wore this type of shrine-shaped amulet container when travelling, strapped to their waist or across a shoulder)

Popular Superstitions: The howling of a dog at night (colour litho)
8668714 Popular Superstitions: The howling of a dog at night (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The howling of a dog at night)

Popular Superstitions: Sneezing (colour litho)
8668705 Popular Superstitions: Sneezing (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Sneezing)

Popular Superstitions: Lucky white heather (colour litho)
8668762 Popular Superstitions: Lucky white heather (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Lucky white heather)

Amulet Container (Ga'u) 1900-1920
5304648 Amulet Container (Ga'u) 1900-1920.; (add.info.: Men wore this type of shrine-shaped amulet container when travelling, strapped to their waist or across a shoulder)

Saint Stephen. Detail from The Preaching of Saint Stephen in Jerusalem'. Painting by Vittore Carpaccio
BEN5461367 Saint Stephen. Detail from The Preaching of Saint Stephen in Jerusalem'. Painting by Vittore Carpaccio. (1450/54-1525/26) by Carpaccio

Greeting card representing a family loaded with symbols of luck and fortune
JAB5037048 Greeting card representing a family loaded with symbols of luck and fortune. Postcard from the beginning of the 20th century.; (add.info)

The steam of Tremblay in the Gulf of Cartagene, 29/09/1857. Ex voto. Anonymous painting, 1857
JEB4879946 The steam of Tremblay in the Gulf of Cartagene, 29/09/1857. Ex voto. Anonymous painting, 1857. Cathedrale de Notre Dame de la Garde

Kanishka inaugurates Mahayana (Northern) Buddhism, AD 100 (litho)
8661013 Kanishka inaugurates Mahayana (Northern) Buddhism, AD 100 (litho) by Dudley, Robert Ambrose (1867-1951); Private Collection; (add.info.: Kanishka inaugurates Mahayana (Northern) Buddhism

The Fables of La Fontaine: The Two Adventurers and the Talisman (engraving)
8669279 The Fables of La Fontaine: The Two Adventurers and the Talisman (engraving) by Dore, Gustave (1832-83); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Two Adventurers and the Talisman)

Popular Superstitions: Opening an umbrella indoors (colour litho)
8668724 Popular Superstitions: Opening an umbrella indoors (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Opening an umbrella indoors)

Popular Superstitions: Crossing a knife and fork (colour litho)
8668721 Popular Superstitions: Crossing a knife and fork (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Crossing a knife and fork)

Popular Superstitions: Burning of the ear (colour litho)
8668718 Popular Superstitions: Burning of the ear (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Burning of the ear)

Popular Superstitions: The breaking of a mirror (colour litho)
8668707 Popular Superstitions: The breaking of a mirror (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The breaking of a mirror)

Popular Superstitions: Seeing the new moon (colour litho)
8668703 Popular Superstitions: Seeing the new moon (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Seeing the new moon)

Africa: Bisharin child with amulet (b/w photo)
8664793 Africa: Bisharin child with amulet (b/w photo) by Bernatzik, Hugo Adolf (1897-1953); Private Collection; (add.info.: Bisharin child with amulet)

The happiness sower, 1910-20 (postcard)
7422872 The happiness sower, 1910-20 (postcard); (add.info.: Paranormal. Superstition. The happyness sower. Woman sows amulets and lucky charms. Postcard, France, 1910-20.); © Archives Charmet

Medal representing Saint Michel. Anonymous. Musee municipal d'Avranches (Manche)
JEB4960415 Medal representing Saint Michel. Anonymous. Musee municipal d'Avranches (Manche); Musee d'art et d'histoire, Avranches, France; (add.info.: Medal representing Saint Michel)

Popular Superstitions: The third to light a cigarette from one match (colour litho)
8669323 Popular Superstitions: The third to light a cigarette from one match (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Popular Superstitions: The lucky horseshoe (colour litho)
8668722 Popular Superstitions: The lucky horseshoe (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The lucky horseshoe)

Popular Superstitions: The Banshee (colour litho)
8668712 Popular Superstitions: The Banshee (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Banshee)

Popular Superstitions: The shoe at weddings (colour litho)
8668706 Popular Superstitions: The shoe at weddings (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The shoe at weddings)

Equity or the sailor's prayer before the battle
MMM5481797 Equity or the sailor's prayer before the battle by Tegg, Thomas (1776-1845) ; National Maritime Museum, London, UK; (add.info.: Fairness or the sailor's prayer before the battle)

Ancient amulet used to ward off ghosts
3330383 Ancient amulet used to ward off ghosts; (add.info.: Ancient amulet used to ward off ghost. From Iraq. Dated 10th Century BC.); Universal History Archive/UIG

Lily of the Valley. Botanical, France, ca 1880 (colour engraving)
3434344 Lily of the Valley. Botanical, France, ca 1880 (colour engraving); (add.info.: Sciences. Botanique. Planche botanique, France, fin 19eme. Coll. Part. Science. Botany. Lily of the Valley)

Do You Know: Why a horse-shoe for luck? (colour litho)
8668139 Do You Know: Why a horse-shoe for luck? (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Why a horse-shoe for luck)

Popular Superstitions: Stumbling and falling (colour litho)
8668726 Popular Superstitions: Stumbling and falling (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Stumbling and falling)

Popular Superstitions: Shooting an Albatross (colour litho)
8668747 Popular Superstitions: Shooting an Albatross (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Shooting an Albatross)

Matthew Hopkins, English witch hunter (engraving)
8676083 Matthew Hopkins, English witch hunter (engraving) by English School, (17th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Matthew Hopkins (c1620-1647), English witch hunter

German made playing card: the jack is represented under the grotesque features of a goggle hunchback
FGL5489045 German made playing card: the jack is represented under the grotesque features of a goggle hunchback and dirty nose wearing objects against the evil eye. Engraving of 1545; Fototeca Gilardi

Esoterism: a plague protection amulet consisting of Hebrew formulas and symbols of the Kabbalah (cabal) and magic
FGL5482941 Esoterism: a plague protection amulet consisting of Hebrew formulas and symbols of the Kabbalah (cabal) and magic

Cabala: Protection Against The Plague, 16th century (engraving)
7272467 Cabala: Protection Against The Plague, 16th century (engraving); (add.info.: CABALA Design of amulet drawn from'Shaar has-Yichoud'di Haim Vital, XVI sec)

The brick " The Stone" command by Captain Rebuffa assaulted by a hurricane on 2/07/1822. Ex voto
JEB4879970 The brick " The Stone" command by Captain Rebuffa assaulted by a hurricane on 2/07/1822. Ex voto. Painting by Antoine Roux (1765-1835). 1822

Botany. Four leaf clover, amulet. Postcard, France, 1909
2636237 Botany. Four leaf clover, amulet. Postcard, France, 1909.; Private Collection; (add.info.: Botanique. Coll. Part.); Photo © CCI

Astrology (engraving)
8672857 Astrology (engraving) by Burgkmair, Hans (c.1473-1531) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Astrology. Illustration from Geschichte der Deutschen Kultur)

Do You Know: Why were tankards originally glass-bottomed? (colour litho)
8668134 Do You Know: Why were tankards originally glass-bottomed? (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Why were tankards originally glass-bottomed)

Popular Superstitions: Spilling the salt (colour litho)
8668725 Popular Superstitions: Spilling the salt (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Spilling the salt)

Popular Superstitions: Putting on the left shoe before the right (colour litho)
8668723 Popular Superstitions: Putting on the left shoe before the right (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Putting on the left shoe before the right)

Popular Superstitions: Thirteen at table (colour litho)
8668720 Popular Superstitions: Thirteen at table (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Thirteen at table)

Popular Superstitions: Whistling for a wind (colour litho)
8668717 Popular Superstitions: Whistling for a wind (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Whistling for a wind)

Popular Superstitions: Under the mistletoe (colour litho)
8668713 Popular Superstitions: Under the mistletoe (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Under the mistletoe)

Popular Superstitions: The Magpie (colour litho)
8668740 Popular Superstitions: The Magpie (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Magpie)

The mascot of the Irish Guards (colour photo)
8668609 The mascot of the Irish Guards (colour photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The mascot of the Irish Guards)

The Three Mats Boat: The Three Sisters. Wish made by the crew of the brick goelette Uranie and Virginia, Cne Morello
JEB4880014 The Three Mats Boat: The Three Sisters. Wish made by the crew of the brick goelette Uranie and Virginia, Cne Morello, assaulted by a gale of O.N.O. by the 43¡3 lat.n. and 5¡4 long. E

A pelerin (with walking stick, bell and amulets) for the traditional ascent of Mount Fuji
CSO4979795 A pelerin (with walking stick, bell and amulets) for the traditional ascent of Mount Fuji, in front of a painted decor - Pilgrim going up Fujiyama - Japan 1880-1910 - Hand coloured photo;

All Professionally Made to Order for Quick Shipping

"Unveiling the Threads of Superstition: From Ancient Egypt to Modern Times" Superstitions have woven themselves into the fabric of human history, transcending time and cultures. In Peru, clay bulls stand proudly atop rooftops as common ornaments believed to bring good luck. These small figurines serve as a reminder that even in today's modern world, ancient beliefs persist. Delving deeper into antiquity, we encounter artifacts from Luxor in Egypt. The ankh, a symbol of life and immortality, is held by statues such as Iwnit and Hathor dating back to 1405-1367 BC. These stone relics offer glimpses into the spiritual practices that shaped ancient Egyptian society. Moving forward in time but still within the realm of pharaonic Egypt, pillars depicting Osiris emerge from Karnak Temple. Sesotris I's limestone pillar showcases this godly figure who represented resurrection and rebirth during his reign from 1971-1926 BC. Similarly, King Akhenaton dons the double crown while holding Heka (magic) and Wast (power). These sandstone depictions highlight the significance placed on divine protection during his rule from 1365-1360 BC. Venturing beyond Egypt's borders reveals other captivating talismans with their own stories to tell. A delicate ear ornament crafted from bowenite hails from the 19th century—an amulet believed to safeguard its wearer against evil spirits or misfortune. Traveling further west brings us to Western Sudan where Dogon Wheels made of bronze captivate with their intricate designs. Believed to possess mystical powers among certain African tribes, these wheels are thought to ward off negative energies and promote harmony within communities. Continuing our journey southward leads us to Ghana where elephant-shaped charms forged out of gold hold great significance for local inhabitants. Revered for their protective qualities against malevolent forces, these charms are cherished as symbols of good fortune and prosperity.