Finds Tray: Cosmetic container

This article is from Current Archaeology issue 436

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This appears to be a relatively ordinary cosmetic container, probably dating to sometime between the end of the 19th century and early 20th century. Inside, however, is a sinister note that may have been intended to ‘curse’ the owner of this make-up case. 

The artefact was recently found by a metal-detectorist in Ramsbottom near Bury, Greater Manchester. It is made of copper alloy and would have originally consisted of two halves connected by a hinge plate, but the top is missing. The bottom plate is still present, but highly corroded and partially detached; it is decorated with concentric circles. Inside there was an organic circular pad, similar to ones used today for applying make-up, and remnants of a compacted powdery white substance. More surprising, however, was a piece of paper, folded into a square, that had been placed on top of the pad. On one side are the words ‘THOU ART A MISDOER’, while on the other is a hand-drawn human skull with an object, probably a knife or dagger, seen protruding from the back of it, together with the date ‘May 5th’.

It is believed that this is an example of a ‘container curse’, whereby someone attempted to inflict harm on another by ‘cursing’ one of their personal possessions. The case was found buried near a rectory, and it may be that the curser was hoping that a divine entity might see fit to carry out the intended punishment. Belief in witchcraft and folk superstitions were not uncommon in the later Victorian period, particularly in rural areas, and were largely aimed against women. 

While a few examples of witch bottles have previously been recorded on the Portable Antiquities Scheme database, including three examples from Kent (search for KENT-C28EF0, KENT-3139DC, and KENT-312DC2), this is the first ‘cursed’ cosmetic container to be documented. For more information about the case, see https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/1265916 or search for LVPL-D22F99 on the PAS database.

The Portable Antiquities Scheme is an initiative to encourage the recording of archaeological objects found by members of the public in England and Wales. For more information on the Scheme, and to browse its database of almost 1.8 million finds, visit https://finds.org.uk. Information on this find was provided by Heather Beeton – Finds Liaison Officer for Cheshire, Greater Manchester, and Merseyside.

Text: Kathryn Krakowka / Image: National Museums Liverpool