Amulet in the shape of a turtle, United States, 1871-1900
An umbilical cord is thought to be contained in this turtle-shaped amulet. The amulet is made from leather and decorated with beads. It was worn by girls until they reached puberty to ward off illness. In many Native American belief systems, turtles protected against ‘women's diseases’. It is believed to have been made by the Sioux people of the Great Plains, in North America.
Object number:
A121191
Related Themes and Topics
Glossary:
Glossary: human remains
term created as part of the NMSI human remains policy (from April 2007); Other terms used are 'blood' and 'human hair'
Glossary: amulet
Small object or piece of jewellery worn as a protecting charm to ward off ill health and bad luck.
Glossary: umbilical cord
Long cord that connects a developing foetus with the placenta that contains tiny blood vessels through which oxygen and food are carried from the mother to the embryo