Rare Hunting Amulet made from an Otters Penis Bone with Gold Mounts (1800 to 1900 England)

Bone, Gold

Provenance: Reputedly by descent from the Master of the Devon Otter Hounds, who used it as a tie pin

Otters were hunted historically for their pelts, but are now protected almost everywhere throughout Europe. Excellent swimmers and divers they were once thought to be a major threat to salmon and trout fish stocks, but they also eat water birds, frogs, crustaceans such as crayfish and even muskrats.
Hunting otters was thought to be very difficult as they are nocturnal and equally at home in the water and on land. This brooch would have served to bring the hunter luck and success with his particular chosen prey.

A Rare Hunting Amulet made from an Otters Penis Bone with Gold Mounts
Circa 1860 – 80

Size: 6.5cm wide – 2½ ins wide