Welcome back once again as we take a look at an entry in one
of the longest-running series of blog posts on this Sanctum Sanctorum Comix
blog; wherein I showcase my collection of DOCTOR STRANGE related apparel (hats,
ties, shirts, unmentionables…).
This time, were in the 3rd entry of a sub-series
of posts which feature assorted Ancillary Accessorizing Artifacts; (patches,
buttons and assorted bling).
Anyway… in THIS post, we’re taking a look
at DOCTOR STRANGE related AMULETS, MEDALLIONS, PENDANTS and CHARMS (y’know…
dangly-things you wear around your neck).
Once again, the best way is to go chronologically, by year
of acquisition (or creation).
My first “Doctor Strange” AMULET of
course had to be the biggie:
…Created by myself back in 1987 as a part of my DR. STRANGE
costume (which can be seen in its own post [
HERE]). However, I’m not going to get into this item
too much here, as it deserves a post all of its own (which it
will as the
next entry of this current sub-series).
I WILL say that it is 4” in diameter and 2.25” thick (and can
be a lethal weapon due to its unusual weight and density. Seriously... you could totally kill someone with this thing).
---
Next, is another
of my custom-made bits of swag: a Medallion, cast in silver, with black enamel
backing, in the shape of the window of Doctor Strange's Sanctum Sanctorum (or,
at least, my rendition of it), which I commissioned
a silversmith-artist/friend of mine to make to my specifications in 1992 (or
1993).
The amulet is 1 and 1/8 inches (3cm) in diameter, and I had
two made: one to wear and one to keep in my display case.
However, this item did indeed already garner its own blog post
(which can be found in Part 2 of the “Magic Rings and Mystic Bling” series
[
HERE]).
Read all about it there!
---
The next item is a bit of self-indulgent “what-iffery”. A 1.5” wide triangular
(or pyramidal) shaped “Eye of Agamotto”.
My reasoning for it harkens
back to issue #13 of the “DOOM 2099” comic, wherein it was stated that there
were 3 Eyes of Agamotto. So in my mind, if the 1st “lesser”eye was the original
square amulet, and the 2nd “greater” Eye being the round “Eye of
Agamotto” we all know and love, then the 3rd eye should be a
triangular one, no?
Anyway, I found this in a Party Supply store where I was painting
a mural (during the time when I was a mural artist – painting on the walls of
business and palatial mansions alike) in 1995. While it might actually be
merely a party-favor… to me it was a fanboy discovery.
---
Since “All-Seeing Eyes” are the obvious contender for mystic
amulets, it’s no surprise that the next entry is touted not only as “the Eye of
Agamotto” but also by its real nomenclature; the ‘Eye of Buddha”.
A charm to ward off the Evil Eye, the Eye of Buddha originates
from Nepal and shows the eye of wisdom surrounded by the “snail martyrs” (the
story of the snail martyrs is as thus: When the Buddha sat to meditate by a
tree, he fell into such a deep trance that he failed to realize that the sun’s
position had changed and he was in peril of baking to death in it’s hot rays. Seeing
the master in danger, 108 passing snails crawled upon his brow and coated his bald
head with their life-juices, sacrificing their lives for his – so often when a
portrait or statue of the master is seen, its head is adorned with martyr
snails – the ultimate tribute to those selfless molluscs.)
When Steve Ditko designed Doctor Strange’s “Eye of Agamotto” the
likeness to the “Eye of Buddha” was too close for coincidence (much like the
likeness of the Wand of Watoomb to another mystic item, a Tibetan Dorje).
Anyway, these Eye of Buddha / Agamotto amulets are 1.5” in
diamteter, and like many items in my collection, I have one to wear and one strictly for display.
---
What comes next is not really a "Doctor Strange" item, but one that resembles a Doctor Strange themed design ...
Made of sterling silver, and .5" high/wide... while this might LOOK like the symbol that is on the front of Strange's tunic, it is in fact the 23rd letter in the Greek alphabet; "Psi" (but c'mon! it's close enough).
---
Next are two charms featuring hand-gestures that should be familiar to any magic fan…
The first is a “mano cornuto” (“horned hand”) charm, designed to
ward off the evil eye.
I had one similar to this one many decades ago, acquired from
someone, somewhere, at some time in my youth (until it was presumably lost during a move), until I bought another fairly recently as a replacement
(strictly for my Doctor Strange collection, as I am unconcerned about the "evil eye").
2.1cm high, .8cm wide, made of sterling silver.
---
The second hand gesture is the “American Sign Language” gesture
for “I LOVE YOU”.
17mm tall, 11mm wide and made of pewter silver.
And if we’ve known anything about Doctor Strange over the decades,
with his hands kept in that position whist casting magic, he’s been saving the
Earth-Dimension from evil with the power of love for over 50 years!
-------------
Come back soon for a SPECIAL ENTRY showcasing the EYE of AGAMOTTO (shown at the top of this post) in a solo entry!
Then, come back for the finale of the Artifacts of Flair sub-series: MAGIC RINGS!
Previous parts of the
MYSTIC GARB : DR. STRANGE APPAREL SERIES:
- part 1 : CAPS and TIES : [
HERE]
- part 2 : SOLO APPEARANCE T-SHIRTS : [
HERE]
- part 3 : TEAM-UP APPEARANCE T-SHIRTS : [
HERE]
- part 4 : THE "OTHERS" / "6-DIMENSIONS" T-SHIRTS : [
HERE]
- part 5 : "THE END" of GARMENTS : [
HERE]
And the sub-series...
ARTIFACTS of FLAIR:
- part 1: PATCHES of POWER: [
HERE]
- part 2: BUTTONS & PINS: [
HERE]
- part 3: MYSTIC AMULETS [
HERE]
- part 3a: EYE of AGAMOTTO: [next]
- part 4: MAGIC RINGS: [soon]
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