A focal point for new exhibition Earth Spells: Witches of the Anthropocene is this cauldron. It’s thought to have belonged to a witch!
These kinds of small iron crock were commonly used in Dartmoor cottages to cook food. This particular pot belonged to a man called William Webb before he gave it to the folklorist Miss Theo Brown, with it eventually ending up at RAMM in 2018. Prior to this, it was the property of Elizabeth Webb (William’s grandmother) who was the infamous ‘White Witch of Dartmoor’. She was believed to be a mighty charmer with the power to stop bleeding from a distance, without ever seeing the patient. Growing herbs in her garden was one way that she retrieved ingredients for cures as well as the natural resources that Dartmoor provided. For instance, she used reeds from the marshes to cure warts. She also took her hand to more serious ailments. To address snake bites she would kill an adder, finely chop it and cook it. Once cool, the scum would be skimmed off and the patient would drink the dreaded mixture.
Elizabeth died in 1913, and from then the item was passed down the family line.
Artists in the upcoming exhibition have responded to items in the museum’s collection, including this mysterious cauldron. Find out more about the inspiration and artists involved here.
This content is viewable by members only. Login or sign up to get access.
