Amuletsthe gallery← amulets.guru
The Americas · c. 1500 BCE – today

Other & unsorted The Americas

What it is

Objects from this tradition that do not fit the types above, or whose catalogue records are too brief to sort further. Browse them for unusual forms.

History

In the Americas, protective and power objects belonged to the relationship between people, ancestors, animals and the land. Andean herders kept stone illas for the fertility of their flocks, Mesoamerican rulers wore green jade as breath and maize, Isthmian goldsmiths cast animal spirit-helpers, and Arctic and Northwest Coast shamans carried carved spirit charms. Catholicism, arriving from 1492, brought saints, milagros and the Iberian evil-eye tradition, which fused with Indigenous and African belief into new forms such as Ekeko, the Afro-Brazilian balangandã and Santería. Many Indigenous objects are sacred and some communities ask that they not be displayed or copied; the Zuni, for example, distinguish sacred fetishes from carvings made for sale.

Making yours
Check the source record for materials and size before copying.
The Americas: the tradition

In the Americas, protective and power objects belonged to the relationship between people, ancestors, animals and the land. Andean herders kept stone illas for the fertility of their flocks, Mesoamerican rulers wore green jade as breath and maize, Isthmian goldsmiths cast animal spirit-helpers, and Arctic and Northwest Coast shamans carried carved spirit charms. Catholicism, arriving from 1492, brought saints, milagros and the Iberian evil-eye tradition, which fused with Indigenous and African belief into new forms such as Ekeko, the Afro-Brazilian balangandã and Santería. Many Indigenous objects are sacred and some communities ask that they not be displayed or copied; the Zuni, for example, distinguish sacred fetishes from carvings made for sale.

See all 145, save the ones that feel rightAsk about having one made
The Blessed MotherThe Blessed MotherAmerica · 1892Amulet from PeruAmulet from PeruPeru · 1000-1476Fetish amuletFetish amuletnecklace, woman, child, tube bone, amulet, photography, phnecklace, woman, child, tube bone, amulet, photography, phArgentina · 1932Amulet from United StatesAmulet from United StatesUnited StatesAmulet from ArgentinaAmulet from ArgentinaArgentinaAmulet from BoliviaAmulet from BoliviaBoliviaAmulet from PeruAmulet from PeruPeruAmulet from EcuadorAmulet from EcuadorEcuadorDörramulett. amulet from BrazilDörramulett. amulet from BrazilBrazilAmulett aus SteinAmulett aus SteinArgentinaAmulet from PeruAmulet from PeruPeruAmulett gegen KrankheitAmulett gegen KrankheitBrazilAmulett aus SteinAmulett aus SteinBoliviaAmulet from EcuadorAmulet from EcuadorEcuadorBead [?], Amulet [?], Spindle whorl [?]Bead [?], Amulet [?], Spindle whorl [?]PeruAmulet from EcuadorAmulet from EcuadorEcuadorA Shuar shrunken head (tsantsa) from Ecuador with a stitched mouth and feather headdress.A Shuar shrunken head (tsantsa) from Ecuador with a stitched mouth and feather headdress.United KingdomSheep shaped amuletSheep shaped amuletTropenmuseum Royal Tropical Institute Objectnumber A-6169 Amulet van touw met een stukje houtTropenmuseum Royal Tropical Institute Objectnumber A-6169 Amulet van touw met een stukje houtSurinameAmulet from the Eeyou people, dating to around 1970Amulet from the Eeyou people, dating to around 1970CanadaM0018927: Two frog-shaped pendants or amulets, AmericaM0018927: Two frog-shaped pendants or amulets, AmericaFetish amuletFetish amuletAmulet from ArgentinaAmulet from ArgentinaArgentinaAmulet from United StatesAmulet from United StatesUnited StatesDeo deo 14.4Deo deo 14.4ArgentinaAmulet from BoliviaAmulet from BoliviaBoliviaJaktamulett amulet from EcuadorJaktamulett amulet from EcuadorEcuadorAmulett aus SteinAmulett aus SteinArgentinaAmulett aus SteinAmulett aus SteinBoliviaA Shuar shrunken head (tsantsa) from Ecuador with a stitched mouth and feather headdress.A Shuar shrunken head (tsantsa) from Ecuador with a stitched mouth and feather headdress.United KingdomAxe PerunAxe PerunAmuletic stone animals to ensure fertility, Bolivia.Amuletic stone animals to ensure fertility, Bolivia.Fetish amuletFetish amuletAmulet from United StatesAmulet from United StatesUnited StatesAymata. amulet from BoliviaAymata. amulet from BoliviaBoliviaAmulett aus SteinAmulett aus SteinArgentinaAmulett aus SteinAmulett aus SteinBoliviaA Shuar shrunken head (tsantsa) from Ecuador with a stitched mouth and feather headdress.A Shuar shrunken head (tsantsa) from Ecuador with a stitched mouth and feather headdress.United KingdomAxe Perun - типAxe Perun - типAmuletic stone animals to ensure fertility, Bolivia.Amuletic stone animals to ensure fertility, Bolivia.Amulet from United StatesAmulet from United StatesUnited StatesSkjortprydnad amulet from BoliviaSkjortprydnad amulet from BoliviaBoliviaAmulett (?)Amulett (?)ArgentinaAmulett aus SteinAmulett aus SteinBoliviaPendant or receptacle, Ancient AmericanPendant or receptacle, Ancient AmericanAmuletic stone animals to ensure fertility, Bolivia.Amuletic stone animals to ensure fertility, Bolivia.Amulett aus SteinAmulett aus SteinArgentinaAmulett aus SteinAmulett aus SteinBoliviaAmulet from BoliviaAmulet from BoliviaAmuletic stone animals to ensure fertility, Bolivia.Amuletic stone animals to ensure fertility, Bolivia.Amulett aus SteinAmulett aus SteinArgentinaAmulett aus SteinAmulett aus SteinBoliviaAxe Perun - tipasAxe Perun - tipasAmuletic stone figurines to ensure fertility, Bolivia.Amuletic stone figurines to ensure fertility, Bolivia.Amulet from ArgentinaAmulet from ArgentinaArgentinaAmulett aus SteinAmulett aus SteinBoliviaAxe Perun - тіпAxe Perun - тіпAmuletic stone figurines to ensure fertility, Bolivia.Amuletic stone figurines to ensure fertility, Bolivia.Amulet from ArgentinaAmulet from ArgentinaArgentina

More from The Americas: Andean illas & conopas · Isthmian & Colombian gold pendants · Mesoamerican jade & stone pendants · Taíno zemís & Caribbean amulets · Zuni & Pueblo fetishes · Umbilical amulets & medicine bundles · Northwest Coast & Arctic shaman charms · Milagros & ex-votos · Balangandãs, figas & Afro-Atlantic charms · Dreamcatchers
Every type in the gallery

Anything in the gallery can be made: any piece, any tradition, in its own material or yours, by hand from the documented original. Numbered. Price on commission, quoted before anything is made. I reply within one business day.