Charms

25. A rare group of charms from Madagascar dating to the 19th century. Including a group of four ‘Ody’ comprised of single shell ornaments with one trade bead that acts as a knot, these were worn on the forehead.

There is an example of the charm with wooden sticks in the British Museum that entered the collections in 1881, museum number Af,+.1657 with a note attached that reads “Oddy or arupelu a charm used to bring the wife back after leaving her husband”

Know as Sampy or Ody these amulets were used for various magical purposes among the tribes of Madagascar.

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