Rights Holder: Museum of London
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Unique ID: LON-A918A5
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation
An incomplete medieval lead alloy pilgrim badge of John the Baptist dating to the 13th - 14th century. The badge is circular with a cast decoration in high relief. There are two stitching rings at three and nine o'clock, by which the badge would have been attached to clothing. These rings are not in the usual location for badges such as this, which would normally be located at diagonals to the image. There are two lugs at one and eleven o'clock, one of which is bent. There are two casting flaws on the badge one in the centre and one below Salome's chin; there is also a break just above the left stitching ring.
The central image is that of Salome, Herodias' daughter, being presented with the head of John the Baptist on a platter. Surrounding the image is a border of hatching. The traditional story of the martyrdom of John the Baptist tells how Salome, the step daughter of Herod was offered whatever she desired by the king. On her mother Herodias' suggestion she asked for the head of John the Baptist on a plate. Pilgrim badges of John the Baptist predominantly come from Amiens, which was believed to house the head brought back from the holy land during the fourth crusade (AD1202-1204). Although the style of the badge is similar to those from Amiens (Spencer, 1998, nos. 235-237), the decoration is quite different showing an oversized head of John the Baptist.
Another town which produced pilgrim badges associated with the head of John the Baptist is Saint-Jean-D'Angély. Badges from this town have a similar design to this example, but instead of Salome they depict the actual execution (Spencer, 1998, nos.240-1). Furthermore, the badges do not have stitching rings and so would have been attached to clothing in a different manner.
Dimensions: diameter: 50.14 mm; thickness: 2.37 mm; weight: 16.33g.
Reference: Spencer, B. 1998. Pilgrim Souvenirs and Secular Badges. The Stationery Office, London.
This is a find of note and has been designated: National importance
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Subperiod from: Early
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Subperiod to: Late
Period to: MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1200
Date to: Circa AD 1400
Quantity: 1
Thickness: 2.37 mm
Weight: 16.33 g
Diameter: 50.14 mm
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Primary material: Lead Alloy
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Incomplete
4 Figure: TQ3280
Four figure Latitude: 51.5035277
Four figure longitude: -0.09955492
1:25K map: TQ3280
1:10K map: TQ38SW
Grid reference source: Generated from computer mapping software
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 10 metre square.
No references cited so far.