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Witch' whistle with death skull and rat's foot
Unknown19th Century
MAS
Antwerp, Belgium
This whistle bears the inscription: 'Siffle un deux trois / Vient au Sabbat / Sorcier larva Rat'. In the event of a rat plague, one called on a 'shipper' who possessed the magical power to move the rats to another place. The rat plague could be the work of a witch or a wizard.
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Details
- Title: Witch' whistle with death skull and rat's foot
- Creator: Unknown
- Date Created: 19th Century
- Location: Europe
- Physical Dimensions: lengt: 13.3cm – width: 1.7cm – depth: 1.5cm
- Subject Keywords: Antwerp History and Folklore
- Type: Whistle
- Medium: Bone, wood, cord, animal material
- ID: MFA.1964.076.1491
- Department: MAS collection – Folklore
- Acquisition: Purchased from Octavie Du Caju (1964)
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