Rights Holder: Hampshire Cultural Trust
CC License:
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Unique ID: HAMP-B62E17
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation
A Medieval (1150-1500) lead pilgrim's ampulla, apparently complete but with part of one corner slightly damaged and twisted inwards. One of its side lugs is also a little squashed. The metal is now a deep brown in colour.
The rounded end depicts a scallop shell (Spencer's type II) on one side beneath a raised transverse band, decorated with raised diagonal lines. Above this is possibly a representation of the mitred head of St Thomas Becket - a pair of inversed Vs, one inside the other (the outer one perhaps representing a canopy) with two pellets just below (perhaps eyes) and a larger pellet between and below - perhaps a nose. A line extends from this to the apex of the innermost inverted V.
To the other face is five-petalled flower (each petal with incurved ends and raised linear decoration) within a raised circle. The edge of the curved base of the ampulla is faceted and decorated with diagonal raised ribs. Flanking this on the flatter face is an almost complete circle of conjoined pellets, petering out towards the neck of the ampulla, just above the flower decoration. Between the base of the flower decoration and the line of pellets is a raised cross fourchée.
Beyond the base the neck extends, with lugs to either side. The neck flares from 19.7mm to 26.8mm at the open end which has been crimped shut, though is now slightly open. The open end shows worn wear marks to both faces and has a rougher surface compared to the rest of the object which has a very smooth (and in some places shiny) surface.
The ampulla measures 58.3mm in length, 32.2mm across the rounded bottom and 26.8mm across the open end, 12.9mm in max.thickness and weighs 62.84g.
Ampulla are known from the late 12th century and were replaced by the popularity of pilgrim badges in the early 14th century, but are thought to have continued in use to the end of the 15th century. Brian Spencer writes of Becket's death in 1170 (1998; 37) 'This ghastly outrage, involving the sacrilegious murder of a consecrated prelate and the flagrant violation of sanctuary, shocked the whole of Christendom and immediately gave rise to an immensely powerful cult, which from 1171 until at least the middle of the 15th century was to make Canterbury by far the most important centre of pilgrimage in England'.
This has been noted as an interesting find by the recorder.
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Period to: MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1150
Date to: Circa AD 1500
Quantity: 1
Length: 58.3 mm
Width: 32.2 mm
Thickness: 12.9 mm
Weight: 62.84 g
Date(s) of discovery: Wednesday 1st January 2014 - Wednesday 31st December 2014
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Other reference: Hampshire Museums Entry Form 4262
4 Figure: SU5149
Four figure Latitude: 51.23790934
Four figure longitude: -1.27084692
1:25K map: SU5149
1:10K map: SU54NW
Grid reference source: Generated from computer mapping software
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 100 metre square.
Author | Publication Year | Title | Publication Place | Publisher | Pages | Reference | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Spencer, B. | 1998 | Pilgrim Souvenirs and Secular Badges | London | Museum of London | 37 |