AMPULLA

Medieval lead pilgrim's ampulla of 14^th to 16^th century date

The ampulla is complete (with a length of 56.0mm and a weight of 39.8g) with a closed mouth. The mouth is flat (with a width of 30.8mm and a thickness of 3mm). There is evidence of the closing of the mouth with crimping marks beneath the mouth. There is no decoration on either face of the neck. The sides of the neck are straight and divergent to the mouth. The angular loops are positioned near the top of the body and base of the neck and are comparatively slight (with a height of 6.1mm, a thickness of 2.0mm and a length of 10.0mm). The body of the ampulla is curved (with a width of 28.9mm). The obverse face has wide fine grooves and ribbing, of Spencer's (1990, p 59)[1] Type II and indicating the scallop shell, representing pilgrimage. The reverse face has hatched ribbing on the bevelled sides, before the double circular border. Inside the circular field is fine cross-hatching and a central device, difficult to interpret. The device appears to depict a globular, rounded vessel, perhaps a flask or phial. There is the suggestion of curved handle on one side of the vessel. The flask may represent a chrismaria to hold oils used in sacraments. The ampulla has a yellow-white corrosion with a number of small fractures on both faces.

[1] Spencer, B. 1990; Salisbury & South Wiltshire Medieval Catalogue, Part 2, Pilgrim Souvenirs & Secular Badges; Salisbury & South Wiltshire Museum