German, 16th century.
Measures 4.4 x 3.1 x 1.5cm excluding its loose silver bail.
This rare form of amulet was worn to scare away ill fortune particularly from children and mothers, they were referred to as ‘Fright’ or ‘Scare stones’.
The heart shaped piece of rock crystal is mounted in an engraved dogs tooth setting supported by a rope twist frame. The amulet is polished to each side, one side with three polished demi-spheres.