Anonymous, 10th century. Amulet (Lead, 48 mm, 19.52 g), Womb ("Hystera") amulet. ΠANAΓIA ΘЄOTOKЄ BOIΘI CON (retrograde, 'Holy Mother of God, help your [wearer]') Womb symbol: facing head in center, from which eight serpents originate; all within decorated border. Rev. +VCTЄPA MЄΛANI MЄΛANO (retrograde, 'Womb, black, blackening') Bust facing. Cf. J. Spier: Medieval Byzantine Amulets and their Tradition, in: Journal of the Warburg and Courtauld Institutes 56 (1993), 28. Minor flan crack and with traces of mounting, otherwise, very fine.


The reverse legend is a magical spell intended to keep the womb calm and in its proper place. The formula is found in several variants on a number of amulets. The spell would end with a phrase similar to 'Like a snake you coil. Like a lion you roar. Like a lamb lie down'.