Pendant Amulet in the shape of an hourglass, 1501-1600, Germany. Coral; Silver, cast, engraved and gilded. Height x Width x Depth: 4.8 x 2 x 2 cm. Ident.Nr. F 1277 F. Kunstgewerbemuseum © Photo: Museum of Decorative Arts of the National Museums in Berlin - Prussian Cultural Heritage.  Photo: Stefan Buchner

The natural material used to-shaping the hourglass as a symbol of vanitas Edelkoralle (Corallium rubrum) possessed magical significance. The living mainly in the central and western Mediterranean and the neighboring coasts of the eastern Atlantic red coral was already in Ancient Egypt as apotropaion. Greek mythology saw in the fossilized coral in the sea drops of blood of the Gorgon Medusa, which they shed when her Perseus struck off the head. The idea associated, coral would ward off all evil from the evil eye was prevalent until well into modern times. LL