AMPULLA

An incomplete Medieval lead alloy ampulla, dating to c. AD 1200 - 1500. The object is flask shaped with a sub-circular body. The neck is flaring to an old irregular torn break at the open mouth. It is hollow with one complete and another incomplete side loops; stubs remain on one side. Both faces are decorated, each with a differrent design. One face is decorated with a raised four leaf clover with herringbone diagonal design and central pellet. The other has a more complex and obscured design, the main body is decorated with a crown on the with a raised cross-hatched lining. At the centre of the crown is a tall raised fleur-de-lis, above towards the torn mouth is a raised rectangle with an X in the centre.
Length: 52.41 mm
Width: 33.61 mm
Thickness: 6.05 mm
Weight: 25.77 g

Similar, though not identical, examples from Salisbury (Spencer 1990, Salisbury Museum Medieval Catalogue Part 2, figs 184 and 186.

Ampulla were designed to contain holy water to be used for blessings or worn by suspension through the loops as a talisman (Spencer, 1998: 203). There are often found discarded after being torn open to release the water. Spencer (ibid: 3) suggests that ampulla were popular in England from the second half of the 12th century until the early 14th century, when they were largely replaced by badges as the most popular type of pilgrimage memento.