19th Century & later apocryphal occult vampire slaying kit. 19th century mahogany box enclosing Corpus Christi, a double barrel pistol, religious mirror, lamp, mummified bat, syringe, apothecary utensils, Bible, various hand written papers, and an arrangement of further hunter's requisites. The box and compartments are lined with dark red velvet. Top compartment of box lifts to reveal lower section containing ornate gold mirror.
Item offered as found. Some items in the case may be later additions. Small corner of glass cover containing mummified bat is broken. Otherwise all in good period condition.
There has been debate regarding the origin of vampire slaying kits. While some vampirists claim such kits were common in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, they were more likely assembled following the publication of Bram Stoker's novel Dracula and marketed to travelers visiting eastern Europe. This unique and extensive kit contains a variety of curios, equipping its owner with all the necessary tools to ward off or perhaps even slay vampires. Other examples of such kits, varying in size and contents, have been acquired by cultural institutions including the Royal Armouries in Leeds and the Mercer Museum in Doylestown, Pennsylvania.
49.5 x 28.5 x 18 cm.
Ships from London.
19th Century & later apocryphal occult vampire slaying kit. 19th century mahogany box enclosing Corpus Christi, a double barrel pistol, religious mirror, lamp, mummified bat, syringe, apothecary utensils, Bible, various hand written papers, and an arrangement of further hunter's requisites. The box and compartments are lined with dark red velvet. Top compartment of box lifts to reveal lower section containing ornate gold mirror.
Item offered as found. Some items in the case may be later additions. Small corner of glass cover containing mummified bat is broken. Otherwise all in good period condition.
There has been debate regarding the origin of vampire slaying kits. While some vampirists claim such kits were common in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, they were more likely assembled following the publication of Bram Stoker's novel Dracula and marketed to travelers visiting eastern Europe. This unique and extensive kit contains a variety of curios, equipping its owner with all the necessary tools to ward off or perhaps even slay vampires. Other examples of such kits, varying in size and contents, have been acquired by cultural institutions including the Royal Armouries in Leeds and the Mercer Museum in Doylestown, Pennsylvania.
49.5 x 28.5 x 18 cm.
Ships from London.
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