Comfort blankets

child's embroidered bodice with amulets - Sheila Paine's collection

Sheila Paine wrote an interesting book about amulets, and we all surely need our comforting talismans in different ways. When I was a child I had a turquoise eye and a tiny herb stuffed fabric heart pinned to my underwear to ward off evil, and indeed prompted by my mother I have a head of garlic hanging in the window of my sewing room!

We have a post office in the village, but when I'm in need of cheer I go to one two villages away, particularly when my preferred 'cuddle' consists of efficiency with a helpful smile. Also, this particular place has fluffy whatnots which are the delight of and indeed a comfort to my mother, and as the UK mother's day is coming up soon I wanted to buy a suitable card and giftlet.

I suppose my talismans are the pieces of art, craft, or reproductions of such without which I find that a space is not wholly comfortable - or 'mine'. Ever since I first saw it I have had a postcard of Kees van Dongen's portrait of Modjesko in my office or workroom. It always cheers me, the exuberance of the colours and the enthusiasm with which the singer is belting out the notes, ... it is like singing out myself.

There is an East African carved wooden head which we bought in Bath, England before I had ever been to Africa - a lovely elegant piece which I try always to have somewhere where I will see it every day. But although the familiar and pleasure-giving objects add to the relaxation felt in one's own home, and despite the garlic, I'm not a believer in superstition. I conform to some of my mother's desires so that she does not get all het up - such as not starting any significant project on a Tuesday (the Byzantine Empire fell to the Ottomans on a Tuesday apparently!).

I think I gave up any belief in the power of amulets etc. when I saw that 'lucky' horse shoes were hung up in different ways in the homes of my Scottish and my Pontic Greek grandmothers. The former was with the edges up in order to hold the luck in, and the latter with the edges down in order to keep the luck from floating away. Well, they couldn't both be right, could they?

On the other hand I find it fascinating to read about other people's beliefs and superstitions as it can illuminate so much about their culture.