AMPULLA

Medieval incomplete and damaged lead-alloy pilgrim's ampulla. It has a rounded base curving in to a neck where it is irregularly torn across. The tear is both across the width and down the length a third of the way across. It is now squashed flat with part of the sides of the neck folded inwards slightly, and a section at the back torn off.

One face of the ampulla is decorated with a raised line design of a crown with a hatched lining. The crown is depicted from below with the ends of the curved front edge meeting the curved base of the ampulla to each side with the lining in the pointed oval space between. The other side is decorated with a raised crossed hatched design within a circle, but is too damaged to see the whole design.

It measures 31.4mm long and 30.7mm wide. It is 4.6mm thick and weighs 18.33g.

Ampulla were designed to contain a draught of relic water, to be taken as cures or worn by suspension through the loops as a talisman (Spencer, 1998: 203). 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 momento. The torn neck may suggest it was deliberately opened and the water poured out for some use.

Anderson (2010) has classified ampulla by design. this crown / Cross hatching design is not listed as a combination and combines his Type II 20-23 / Type II 24 as seen on LVPL-50FD62 / WAW-344706.