Accession Number

1986.008.1616

Creation Date

circa 1620

Description

1.5 x 1.4 x 1.3 cm. 2.50 grams.

Exhibition Label

Bezoar stones were believed to be a universal antidote to poisons. In fact the word is derived from the Persian ​pad-zahr, which means "antidote". Modern research reveals the bezoar stone, made up of hair and calcium, contains a protein that bonds with arsenate proving that the stones would effectively protect the drinker from arsenic poisonings, which was the most common poison used in European courts. These stones were rare and expensive items worth more than ten times their weight in gold. 
Removed 2023