For the freaks: a piece of a Bavarian charivari, a hunting amulet from the 19th century. It was believed to bring luck and signify a person's high status, wealth and hunting prowess. Here, rows of squirrel teeth are arranged together in a silver setting; wearing squirrel parts was thought to channel the resourcefulness of the animal into the hunter. Other popular talismans were claws, antlers, and horns. The term "Charivari" derives from the Latin for "medley" or "chaotic collection". And this is definitely chaotic.
MATERIALS: silver, jaw of a squirrel or marmot, new 24" sterling silver chain
AGE: c. 1900
CONDITION: Good - some teeth have been epoxied back into place
SIZE: 1 3/8" length including the bale, 1" x 1/2" amulet