Anonymous, 10th century. Amulet (Lead, 42 mm, 20.47 g, 12 h), Womb or 'hystera' amulet. VCTЄP/A MЄAANH / MЄΛCHNON/MЄNH OC O/ΦHC ЄN ('Womb, black, blackening, like a serpent...') in five lines; all within a decorated border. Rev. H-N-Φ-Є-C-H Womb symbol: facing head in center, from which seven serpents originate towards the border; below, cross; all within decorated border. Cf. J. Spier: Medieval Byzantine Amulets and their Tradition, in: Journal of the Warburg and Courtauld Institutes 56 (1993), 37 and 39 (for legend). An exceptionally well preserved Byzantine womb amulet attesting the use of magic well within the Christian period. Minor surface cracks, otherwise, extremely fine.


This amulet bears a magical spell intended to keep the womb calm and in its proper place. On this amulet, only the first part of the spell appears. The formula normally continues with likening the womb to various wild animals that hiss and roar, and concludes with a command to 'lie down' like a lamb.