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AMPULLA
Unique ID: LIN-54BE9D
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
A near complete lead pilgrim's ampulla, dating from the later Medieval period. Dated c.1300-1500.
The vessel is the classic minature phial shape with a circular body which extends upwards into a slightly flared neck. The rim of the neck is abraded, but largely complete. A triangular lug handle projects from one side of the ampulla at the junction between the neck and the body; the other handle is missing. Both faces of the ampulla are decorated with a raised design, but one is largely missing owing to the object having been pierced and torn here presumably to empty the contents. On one side there is a relief-moulded Lombardic letter 'T', crowned and with a trailing strands of foliate design to either side. Traces of a pellet-ring design can be seen on the other side.
Similar ampullae, bearing a similar crowned letter 'T', are recorded on the PAS database (see BH-9CB614, LIN-25E422, HESH-8CE9E4, HAMP-204F64, LANCUM-521C00, LANCUM-ED91E5 and LANCUM-77A960).
The presence of the letter T strongly suggests that such pieces originate from the Canterbury shrine of Thomas Becket.
Notes:
Record created using photo sent by finder.
Inscription:
T
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Period to: MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1300
Date to: Circa AD 1500
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 51 mm
Width: 34 mm
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Sunday 28th September 2014
Personal details
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Materials and construction
Primary material: Lead
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Incomplete
Spatial metadata
Region: East Midlands (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Lincolnshire (County)
District: East Lindsey (District)
Parish or ward: Toynton All Saints (Civil Parish)
Spatial coordinates
4 Figure: TF3964
Four figure Latitude: 53.15499837
Four figure longitude: 0.0772776
1:25K map: TF3964
1:10K map: TF36SE
Grid reference source: From finder
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 100 metre square.
References cited
No references cited so far.
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Timeline of associated dates
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