Fourth Quarter 2009
Amulet. Described as a goodluck amulet. Inscribed with unidentified symbols. Metal. 20th century.
Amulet. Christian ‘Schutz-Amulette’. Provenance: Trier, Germany. Metal. 1933.
Carnival Mask. Carved wood in the form of a ‘witch’. Provenance: Tirol. Wood. 20th century.
Poison Bottle. Marked with skull and crossbones. Glass. 20th century.
Ritual Object. Described as a ‘Voodoo Skull’. Decorated animal skull said to have been used by a female shaman. Bone, skin, hair. Acquired from Mannheim, Germany. Of unknown date.
Tarot Cards. Albano-Waite deck. Card. Published by Moewig, no date, circa 1999.
Voodoo Doll and Coffin. Product name ‘Love Never Dies’. Card and fabric. Contemporary.
Friday 4 December 2009
Tuesday 1 December 2009
Renaissance Occult - Conference Update
Prof. Sarah Annes Brown has posted a summary of my talk 'Dealing with the Devil: The Faustian Pact in Magical Culture':
Leo Ruickbie gave a very engaging account of the Faustian pact in magical culture, moving from the responses of Faust’s near contemporaries, to an account of an eighteenth-century man apparently saved at the last moment when on the brink of selling his soul to the devil, and concluding with some unexpectedly up to date examples. We heard of people attempting to sell their souls on eBay, and also of the curious case of S. Jason Black who claims to have reaped substantial benefits after making a pact with princes of Hell. (Afterwards Marina Warner drew a wholly convincing parallel between such magical pacts and Catholic indulgences – both equally the targets of Protestant disapproval.)
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