Amulets: Sacred Charms of Power and Protection »

Sheila Paine is an expert on tribal societies and textiles and is the author of Embroidered Textiles: Traditional Patterns from Five Continents and the trilogy The Afghan Amulet: Travels from the Hindu Kush to Razgrad, The Golden Horde: Travels from the Himalaya to Karpathos, Amulets and The Linen Goddess: Travels from the Red Sea to Prizren. She lives in England.

All over the world amulets have offered protection against accidents, enemies, and sickness. Worn as necklaces, sewn to clothing, or painted on buildings, amulets guard babies and brides; warriors, and travelers; crops and homes. With over 400 lavish color photographs, this book explores amulets and their symbolism, the diverse materials used to craft them, and the people and objects they protect.

The Midwest Book Review

". . . an in-depth focus which reveals the past, present, and future of amulets in all their symbolism and power."

1--Introduction: Mr Routledge and
the lions
2--Plague & pestilence
3--Babies & brides
4--Travellers & hunters
5--Warriors & weaponry
6--Body & soul
7--House & home
8--Trade & profit
9--Made to measure
10--Witches and the taxman
11--The owl and the pussycat
12--An eye for an eye
13--Captured magic
14--Sex & money
15--Goddesses & dolls
16--Lightning & stones
17--Silver & sparkle
18--Buttons, beads & blue
19--Red, white & black
20--Teeth, claws & paws
21--Horns & bones
22--Birds, feathers & hair
23--Snakes & fearful creatures
24--Water & the moon
25--Salt, garlic, incense & plants
26--Trees, rags & stitches
27--Tangles & triangles
28--Needles, iron & bells
29--Numbers & letters
30--Hands & crosses
31--Saints and the Church
Postscript
Acknowledgments
Bibliography
Picture credits Index