Good Luck Eye of Santa Lucia/Saint Lucy/Shiva, Operculum, from the Mediterranean

*****THESE ARE BEING SOLD INDIVIDUALLY. THE PRICE IS FOR ONE SHELL.

These shells were purchased from the Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen but they were found on the shores of the Mediterranean. They're referred to as the eyes of Saint Lucia (Saint Lucy) or Shiva's eyes and are considered to be talismans/good luck charms, protecting against eye troubles. I have two of these left, each sold individually. They measure approximately 1".

https://www.lesterrassesdaragon.com/gb/blog/legend-of-the-eye-of-saint-lucia-b48.html writes: The operculum of the shell called the "Turbo Rough" found on the Mediterranean shores symbolizes the eyes of Saint Lucia. Wearing one carries away, it is said, the evil eye and favors luck.

Legend of the Eye of Saint LuciaIt was in the 4th century that the legend of Saint Lucia was born: a young girl of the nobility of Syracuse obtained the miraculous cure of her mother suffering from an incurable disease by repeated prayers to the Virgin Mary.

Devoting an unlimited worship and devotion to the latter, she tore her eyes and threw them into the sea so as not to be diverted from her faith and to drive away her suitors.

Totally turned to prayer, she performed many miracles. In response to this devotion, the Blessed Virgin restored her sight and gave her more beautiful and brighter eyes ("Ochji belli e lucenti").

In Corsica "the eye of Saint Lucia" is considered a lucky charm.

It should be noted that there are variants of this symbolism throughout the Mediterranean basin and beyond (particularly in Indonesia).

From an 1896 publication of the Glasgow Archeological Society (NOTES ON SHELLS FROM THE SHRINE OF SANTA LUCIA, NEAR FIGUERAS IN SPAIN,
BY
J. M. MACKINLAY, M.A., F.S.A. Scot.)

[Read at a Meeting of the Society, held on 21st February, 1895.]

Some shells connected with the cultus of St. Lucy in Spain came recently into my possession, and it has occurred to me that a few remarks bearing on them, with special reference to the legend of the Saint herself, might be interesting. Scottish antiquities form the usual subject of study in this Society, and it may seem a far cry from North Britain to the Spanish Peninsula; but in reality it is not so. In virtue of the place, held by these shells in folk-lore, they belong to the same class of objects as Barbreck's Bone and the Lee Penny, so familiar to the student of Scottish amulets.' They all have this in common that at one time or another they have been credited with the power of healing. The shells in question are believed to be effica-
cious in curing sore eyes. Multitudes in Spain have still a firm faith in them. The shells are sold to pilgrims frequenting the shrine of Santa Lucia, near Figueras. Figueras, it may be remembered, is a town of Catalonia, in the north-east of Spain, its name being derived from the Spanish figuera, a fig tree.

*****THESE ARE BEING SOLD INDIVIDUALLY. THE PRICE IS FOR ONE SHELL.

Thank you for looking.