An incomplete lead-alloy pilgrim's ampulla of Medieval date (c. AD 1300-1500). The body is circular with a short rectangular neck. The neck flares at the mouth and has a rounded rim that is thickened and mis-shapen. The mouth, once open, is compressed shut so that the hollow interior is not visible. One surviving sub-rectangular attachment loop projects on one side of the neck but is bent out of shape. The opposing handle that would have projected from the opposite side of the neck is missing, leaving just a scar where the arms atatched.
The body of the ampulla is decorated in relief on the obverse with a crown defined by a triple-ribbed arc from which projects three finials with pointed central stems and rounded arches either side. The field below the arch is cross-hatched. The reverse of the body is decorated in relief with an oval field with a raised border. The centre of this features angled lines. At the centre is a plain lozenge-shaped field containing what is possibly the letter ‘C’.
The surfaces of the object are generally very worn and abraded, with scuffs and scratches across all the surfaces. The metal has light yellowish-grey patination with several patches of light grey across the body.
The ampulla measures 44mm in length, 33mm in width and 29mm thick. It weighs 39.72 grams.
Ampullae were an important pilgrim souvenir known to have been in use from the late 12th century and were designed to contain a dose of thaumaturgic water, which would have been given to pilgrims at holy shrines and wells. The water would be taken as a cure to illness or disability, or worn as a talisman. The popularity of ampulla dwindled in the early 14th century, giving way to pilgrim badges, though it is believed that their use continued to the end of the 15th century.
An incomplete lead-alloy pilgrim's ampulla of Medieval date (c. AD 1300-1500). The body is circular with a short rectangular neck. The neck flares at the mouth and has a rounded rim that is thickened and mis-shapen. The mouth, once open, is compressed shut so that the hollow interior is not visible. One surviving sub-rectangular attachment loop projects on one side of the neck but is bent out of shape. The opposing handle that would have projected from the opposite side of the neck is missing, leaving just a scar where the arms atatched.
The body of the ampulla is decorated in relief on the obverse with a crown defined by a triple-ribbed arc from which projects three finials with pointed central stems and rounded arches either side. The field below the arch is cross-hatched. The reverse of the body is decorated in relief with an oval field with a raised border. The centre of this features angled lines. At the centre is a plain lozenge-shaped field containing what is possibly the letter ‘C’.
The surfaces of the object are generally very worn and abraded, with scuffs and scratches across all the surfaces. The metal has light yellowish-grey patination with several patches of light grey across the body.
The ampulla measures 44mm in length, 33mm in width and 29mm thick. It weighs 39.72 grams.
Ampullae were an important pilgrim souvenir known to have been in use from the late 12th century and were designed to contain a dose of thaumaturgic water, which would have been given to pilgrims at holy shrines and wells. The water would be taken as a cure to illness or disability, or worn as a talisman. The popularity of ampulla dwindled in the early 14th century, giving way to pilgrim badges, though it is believed that their use continued to the end of the 15th century.
Recorded remotely with information and images provided by the finder.
A RDF representation of BH-E9FA6A
2021-04-20T10:32:22+01:00
2021-06-30T10:28:27+01:00
BH-E9FA6A
BH-E9FA6A
GB
en-GB
The Trustees of the British Museum
The Trustees of the British Museum
1
http://purl.org/NET/Claros/vocab#Thumbnail
Attribute as courtesy of the British Museum
A thumbnail image of BH-E9FA6A
Lead Alloy
Primary material of object
Incomplete
33.
Width
44.
Length
29.
Thickness
39.72
Weight
By Attribution 3.0
The period from for the object
Attribute as courtesy of the British Museum
A full resolution image of BH-E9FA6A
1200
1500
Method of manufacture