May have been used as protection against “The Evil Eye.” The first glance of the evil was considered the most powerful so pendants that caught the eye were wore and absorbed the first “blast”. Other glances became less “powerful”
In the Middle Ages Knights had shields with flowery designs on them to “catch” the first glance before the “lance”. (Oh I made a funny!)
“May have been used as protection against “The Evil Eye.””
The Italian Horn charm is the modern version.